<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the AIADMK government&#39;s ambitious scheme of providing 50 per cent subsidy to working women to buy two-wheelers in Chennai.</p>

<p>The prime minister said he was happy to launch one of former chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s dream projects on her 70th birthday.</p>

<p>&quot;I am glad to be able to launch one of her dream projects -- the Amma Two Wheeler Scheme. I am told that on Amma&#39;s (Jayalalithaa) 70th birthday, 70 lakh plants will be planted across Tamil Nadu. These initiatives will go a long way in the empowerment of women and protection of nature,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>The prime minister said that empowering women in a family led to the empowerment of the entire household.</p>

<p>&quot;When we empower women in a family, we empower the entire household. When we help with a woman&#39;s education, we ensure that the family is educated. When we facilitate her good health,we help keep the family healthy. When we secure her future, we secure future of the entire home,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>PM Modi said that his government had made changes in the Factory&#39;s Act and extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks.</p>

<p>&quot;We have also made a change in the Factory&#39;s Act and suggested to States that they allow women to work in the night shift as well. We have also extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Under the PM Awaas Yojana, the registry of the House is done in the name of the woman,&quot; the prime minister said.</p>

<p>PM Modi said that after the NDA government came to power, the allocation to Tamil Nadu increased from Rs 81,000 crore to Rs 1,80,000 crores.</p>

<p>&quot;When there was a Congress-led Government at the Centre, Tamil Nadu had received Rs 81,000 crore under the 13th Finance Commission. After the NDA came to power, Tamil Nadu received Rs 1,80,000 crore under the 14th Finance Commission,&quot; said the prime minister.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the day, PM Modi launched several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/daman-diu-pm-modi-launches-rs-1000-crore-projects-flags-off-air-service-between-diu-to-ahmedabad-33921"> Daman and Diu</a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the AIADMK government's ambitious scheme of providing 50% subsidy to working women to buy two-wheelers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the AIADMK government's ambitious scheme of providing 50 per cent subsidy to working women to buy two-wheelers in Chennai. The prime minister said he was happy to launch one of former chief minister Jayalalithaa's dream projects on her 70th birthday. "I am glad to be able to launch one of her dream projects -- the Amma Two Wheeler Scheme. I am told that on Amma's (Jayalalithaa) 70th birthday, 70 lakh plants will be planted across Tamil Nadu. These initiatives will go a long way in the empowerment of women and protection of nature," PM Modi said. The prime minister said that empowering women in a family led to the empowerment of the entire household. "When we empower women in a family, we empower the entire household. When we help with a woman's education, we ensure that the family is educated. When we facilitate her good health,we help keep the family healthy. When we secure her future, we secure future of the entire home," PM Modi said. PM Modi said that his government had made changes in the Factory's Act and extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. "We have also made a change in the Factory's Act and suggested to States that they allow women to work in the night shift as well. We have also extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Under the PM Awaas Yojana, the registry of the House is done in the name of the woman," the prime minister said. PM Modi said that after the NDA government came to power, the allocation to Tamil Nadu increased from Rs 81,000 crore to Rs 1,80,000 crores. "When there was a Congress-led Government at the Centre, Tamil Nadu had received Rs 81,000 crore under the 13th Finance Commission. After the NDA came to power, Tamil Nadu received Rs 1,80,000 crore under the 14th Finance Commission," said the prime minister. Earlier in the day, PM Modi launched several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in Daman and Diu.

PM Modi launches Amma Two Wheeler scheme in Chennai

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ncert-syllabus-to-be-half-from-2019-session-announces-hrd-minister-javadekar-33927">NCERT syllabus to be half from 2019 session, announces HRD Minister Javadekar</a></p>

<p>Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday announced to reduce the NCERT syllabus by almost half from the 2019 academic session. The decision was taken in a bid to provide relief to school students, who complained of existing vast syllabus.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/daman-diu-pm-modi-launches-rs-1000-crore-projects-flags-off-air-service-between-diu-to-ahmedabad-33921">PM Modi launches Rs 1,000 crore projects in Daman and Diu</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in Daman to launch several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in Daman to launch several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/letter-written-to-gain-clarity-on-the-situation-mehul-choksis-lawyer-33922">MEA revokes Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi&#39;s passports</a></p>

<p>On Saturday, passports of both Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi have been revoked by the MEA upon failing to respond after cause notice was given. PNB CMD Sunil Mehta and Executive Director KV Bramhaji Rao have also been called for questioning by the CBI on Saturday.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-diamond-exporter-booked-for-rs-389-crore-obc-loan-fraud-33878">After Nirav Modi, Delhi-based diamond exporter booked for Rs 389-cr OBC loan fraud</a></p>

<p>After Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, the CBI has registered a case against a Delhi-based diamond jewellery exporter for an alleged bank loan fraud to the tune of Rs 389.85 crore towards Oriental Bank of Commerce. The CBI has booked Dwarka Das Seth International Pvt Ltd for the alleged fraud.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalayas-most-wanted-terrorist-shot-dead-in-police-encounter-33917">Meghalaya&#39;s most wanted terrorist shot dead in police encounter</a></p>

<p>Meghalaya Police&rsquo;s most wanted Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Commander-in-Chief Sohan D Shira has been killed in an encounter in a joint operation by the state police team and Meghalaya&#39;s Special Force-10 commandos Saturday morning in Dobu Agalgre village in the East Garo Hills.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


NCERT syllabus to be half from 2019 session, announces HRD Minister Javadekar Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday announced to reduce the NCERT syllabus by almost half from the 2019 academic session. The decision was taken in a bid to provide relief to school students, who complained of existing vast syllabus. PM Modi launches Rs 1,000 crore projects in Daman and Diu Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in Daman to launch several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in Daman to launch several development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. MEA revokes Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi's passports On Saturday, passports of both Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi have been revoked by the MEA upon failing to respond after cause notice was given. PNB CMD Sunil Mehta and Executive Director KV Bramhaji Rao have also been called for questioning by the CBI on Saturday. After Nirav Modi, Delhi-based diamond exporter booked for Rs 389-cr OBC loan fraud After Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, the CBI has registered a case against a Delhi-based diamond jewellery exporter for an alleged bank loan fraud to the tune of Rs 389.85 crore towards Oriental Bank of Commerce. The CBI has booked Dwarka Das Seth International Pvt Ltd for the alleged fraud. Meghalaya's most wanted terrorist shot dead in police encounter Meghalaya Police’s most wanted Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Commander-in-Chief Sohan D Shira has been killed in an encounter in a joint operation by the state police team and Meghalaya's Special Force-10 commandos Saturday morning in Dobu Agalgre village in the East Garo Hills.

WION Evening News brief, February 24, 2018

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau hold a press briefing after holding India Canada delegation level talks in Hyderabad House in New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are happy that you visited along with your family. We discussed many issues including deference operation. Terrorism &amp; extremism are a threat to countries like ours and to fight these elements it is important for us to come together,&quot; said PM Modi during the press briefing.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: PM Modi and Canadian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> witness exchange MoUs between India and Canada <a href="https://t.co/nrkvmDINwt">pic.twitter.com/nrkvmDINwt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966951137998966784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The two Prime Ministers signed six key MoUs during their bilateral talks.</p>

<p>&quot;India has attached a high importance to pursuing its strategic partnership with Canada. Our ties are based on democracy, pluralism, the supremity of law and the mutual interaction,&quot; &nbsp;PM Modi said.</p>

<p>&quot;The two countries have agreed to strengthen ties in the area of security, terrorism and extremism,&quot; PM added.</p>

<p>&quot;As Canada looks to diversify its own economy and looks for new opportunities to do business beyond its boundaries, India is a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation,&quot; said Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.</p>

<p>Earlier in the morning, Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet.&nbsp;</p>


The two Prime Ministers signed several key MoUs during their bilateral talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau hold a press briefing after holding India Canada delegation level talks in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. “We are happy that you visited along with your family. We discussed many issues including deference operation. Terrorism & extremism are a threat to countries like ours and to fight these elements it is important for us to come together," said PM Modi during the press briefing. Delhi: PM Modi and Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau witness exchange MoUs between India and Canada pic.twitter.com/nrkvmDINwt — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × The two Prime Ministers signed six key MoUs during their bilateral talks. "India has attached a high importance to pursuing its strategic partnership with Canada. Our ties are based on democracy, pluralism, the supremity of law and the mutual interaction," PM Modi said. "The two countries have agreed to strengthen ties in the area of security, terrorism and extremism," PM added. "As Canada looks to diversify its own economy and looks for new opportunities to do business beyond its boundaries, India is a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation," said Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Earlier in the morning, Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet.

No space for those who misuse religion for political motives & separatism: PM Modi

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan&nbsp;in New Delhi on Friday morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the press following bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart, tells Trudeau he is happy he has visited the country along with his family.&nbsp; He added that he is also happy that Trudeau was able to visit several cities across the country.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canada</a> is an important destination for Indian students when it comes to higher education, more than 1 lakh 20 thousand of our students are there. We renewed our MoU on higher education which will enhance the exchange in terms of higher education: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/gkDdYpXk0Q">pic.twitter.com/gkDdYpXk0Q</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966952858166837248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi took to Twitter to express his pleasure to hold the meeting with Trudeau.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the press following bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart, tells Trudeau he is happy he has visited the country along with his family. He added that he is also happy that Trudeau was able to visit several cities across the country. #Canada is an important destination for Indian students when it comes to higher education, more than 1 lakh 20 thousand of our students are there. We renewed our MoU on higher education which will enhance the exchange in terms of higher education: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/gkDdYpXk0Q — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 ×

PM Narendra Modi, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau address joint briefing

<p>When the dust settles a bit on the Punjab National Bank scam surrounding luxury jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi&#39;s Gitanjali Jewels, whose shares tanked through the week, we are likely to find that the disgraced companies being investigated by authorities for bank frauds and/or loan defaults may be sitting on hidden assets. I speak of intellectual property such as brands and designs, relationships with exquisite artisans who craft jewellery, and valuable staff who might have done no wrong while their masters made pots of money through dubious means.</p>

<p>Among the welter of jokes, memes, innuendos, explanations and scandalised messages that I received on the elusive Nirav Modi last week, one from a woman friend stood out: &quot;Nirav Modi designs are too good. I love to copy them.&quot;</p>

<p>I have my doubts if this Wharton business school dropout himself did his designs, though his official website claims: &quot;Nirav Modi is the only living Indian diamond jeweller lauded at international auctions at Sotheby&#39;s &amp; Christie&#39;s. Our diamond jewellery designs have earned the distinction of being recognised as among the best in the world.&quot;</p>

<p>A bow-tie-clad Modi has been photographed with sultry models sipping champagne, and his name is plastered alongside movie star Priyanka Chopra&#39;s image in the hotspots of Delhi and Mumbai. However, apart from his family origins in the diamond business, what one sees is carefully crafted glitter that is more about the showy man than the jewels he sells. His name may now be a liability but his own letter to the Punjab National Bank, in which he has the audacity to accuse the fraud-hit bank of spoiling his business, reveals he has 2,200 employees, hundreds of who must probably be talented in design, craft or marketing.</p>

<p>Take a look at Gitanjali Jewels. Its website says the company &quot;offers a dazzling bouquet of world&#39;s leading jewellery brands that include Nakshatra, Gili, D&#39;damas, Asmi, Diya, Maya Gold, Parineeta, Collection G, Gold Expressions,..&quot; et al. A deeper probe reveals that Gitanjali&#39;s promoter Mehul Choksi might have sold elegant choker necklaces but also specialised in choking whistleblowers in his group including franchisees and a former managing director who says the company sold fake or substandard diamonds to unsuspecting customers. Two of his key employees quit this week, including the company secretary who said her conscience would not permit staying on amid disclosure problems.</p>

<p>Nirav Modi has written to the PNB that authorities raiding his Firestar group firms seized assets estimated at Rs 5,649 crore that would have covered the money he owed to the bank. There are those who say that these assets, especially uncrafted diamonds, could have been multiplied by value through his skills. But look harder, and you will find the true expertise belong to designers and artisans. In the case of Gitanjali, even a good amount of the capital for investment came from franchisees.</p>

<p>In all likelihood, the Firestar and Gitanjali companies are headed for the cleaners and promoters may have to make way for the banks and the government to fix the future of the assets they leave behind.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While brand experts debate the future of the jewellery brands, it might make sense for us to look back at the erstwhile Satyam Computer Services Ltd, which was rescued in a government-led effort and folded into the listed Tech Mahindra after being hit by India&#39;s biggest accounting fraud. The sad part is that many employees at the core of the software company left in a maze of uncertainty - in a business in which people are assets.</p>

<p>I think designer jewellery also has a huge amount of unsung human capital, just like software. The PNB fraud may be a good opportunity to look beyond the crony-capitalist promoters and reward the real people who make it happen. My big idea: why not create the jewellery equivalent of Amul (for milk products) or Khadi (for village industries) and fold all the brands and remaining assets of the disgraced jewellery firms into an entity that may be truly world-class while helping artisans and designers?</p>

<p>The place of Tech Mahindra in the Satyam rescue act may theoretically be taken up by a rival like Titan Ltd (which owns Tanishq) or P.C. Jeweller Ltd. However, a third, more enchanting option, would be to create a cooperative of artisans and designers and put it in league with private equity companies and existing staff of Nirav Modi&#39;s Firestar group companies and Gitanjali group entities to form a new age company that rewards old-world talent.</p>

<p>Gujarat, where the origins of Modi and Choksi lie, is also home to Amul. Indian jewellery could do with a Verghese Kurien who can bring together artisans and reward them properly. From all indications, Choksi and Nirav Modi reaped dubious and disproportionate profits standing on the back of the sweat, inspiration and talent of thousands of artisans and designers, besides franchisees who sunk money into stores only to feel cheated. We need to reward the real hard work that went under their facades.</p>

<p>There are dozens of modern jewellery designers in India to match the traditional craft of artisans in and around towns such as Gujarat&#39;s Palanpur whose business families, including those of the Modis and Choksis, have made waves in the Belgian town of Antwerp, the global diamond hub. It is time to craft a new global company whose design matches the best of jewels and one that could shine in an ethical yet trendy manner, the way Amul has done at the top of a milkmen&#39;s cooperative movement.</p>

<p>It is a romantic idea for a corporate rescue but one that I think deserves attention. After all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a big boost to &quot;Make In India.&quot; Let us not confuse that with &quot;Fraud in India.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Let’s learn from Amul. It is a romantic idea for a corporate rescue but one that may deserve attention.

When the dust settles a bit on the Punjab National Bank scam surrounding luxury jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali Jewels, whose shares tanked through the week, we are likely to find that the disgraced companies being investigated by authorities for bank frauds and/or loan defaults may be sitting on hidden assets. I speak of intellectual property such as brands and designs, relationships with exquisite artisans who craft jewellery, and valuable staff who might have done no wrong while their masters made pots of money through dubious means. Among the welter of jokes, memes, innuendos, explanations and scandalised messages that I received on the elusive Nirav Modi last week, one from a woman friend stood out: "Nirav Modi designs are too good. I love to copy them." I have my doubts if this Wharton business school dropout himself did his designs, though his official website claims: "Nirav Modi is the only living Indian diamond jeweller lauded at international auctions at Sotheby's & Christie's. Our diamond jewellery designs have earned the distinction of being recognised as among the best in the world." A bow-tie-clad Modi has been photographed with sultry models sipping champagne, and his name is plastered alongside movie star Priyanka Chopra's image in the hotspots of Delhi and Mumbai. However, apart from his family origins in the diamond business, what one sees is carefully crafted glitter that is more about the showy man than the jewels he sells. His name may now be a liability but his own letter to the Punjab National Bank, in which he has the audacity to accuse the fraud-hit bank of spoiling his business, reveals he has 2,200 employees, hundreds of who must probably be talented in design, craft or marketing. Take a look at Gitanjali Jewels. Its website says the company "offers a dazzling bouquet of world's leading jewellery brands that include Nakshatra, Gili, D'damas, Asmi, Diya, Maya Gold, Parineeta, Collection G, Gold Expressions,.." et al. A deeper probe reveals that Gitanjali's promoter Mehul Choksi might have sold elegant choker necklaces but also specialised in choking whistleblowers in his group including franchisees and a former managing director who says the company sold fake or substandard diamonds to unsuspecting customers. Two of his key employees quit this week, including the company secretary who said her conscience would not permit staying on amid disclosure problems. Nirav Modi has written to the PNB that authorities raiding his Firestar group firms seized assets estimated at Rs 5,649 crore that would have covered the money he owed to the bank. There are those who say that these assets, especially uncrafted diamonds, could have been multiplied by value through his skills. But look harder, and you will find the true expertise belong to designers and artisans. In the case of Gitanjali, even a good amount of the capital for investment came from franchisees. In all likelihood, the Firestar and Gitanjali companies are headed for the cleaners and promoters may have to make way for the banks and the government to fix the future of the assets they leave behind. While brand experts debate the future of the jewellery brands, it might make sense for us to look back at the erstwhile Satyam Computer Services Ltd, which was rescued in a government-led effort and folded into the listed Tech Mahindra after being hit by India's biggest accounting fraud. The sad part is that many employees at the core of the software company left in a maze of uncertainty - in a business in which people are assets. I think designer jewellery also has a huge amount of unsung human capital, just like software. The PNB fraud may be a good opportunity to look beyond the crony-capitalist promoters and reward the real people who make it happen. My big idea: why not create the jewellery equivalent of Amul (for milk products) or Khadi (for village industries) and fold all the brands and remaining assets of the disgraced jewellery firms into an entity that may be truly world-class while helping artisans and designers? The place of Tech Mahindra in the Satyam rescue act may theoretically be taken up by a rival like Titan Ltd (which owns Tanishq) or P.C. Jeweller Ltd. However, a third, more enchanting option, would be to create a cooperative of artisans and designers and put it in league with private equity companies and existing staff of Nirav Modi's Firestar group companies and Gitanjali group entities to form a new age company that rewards old-world talent. Gujarat, where the origins of Modi and Choksi lie, is also home to Amul. Indian jewellery could do with a Verghese Kurien who can bring together artisans and reward them properly. From all indications, Choksi and Nirav Modi reaped dubious and disproportionate profits standing on the back of the sweat, inspiration and talent of thousands of artisans and designers, besides franchisees who sunk money into stores only to feel cheated. We need to reward the real hard work that went under their facades. There are dozens of modern jewellery designers in India to match the traditional craft of artisans in and around towns such as Gujarat's Palanpur whose business families, including those of the Modis and Choksis, have made waves in the Belgian town of Antwerp, the global diamond hub. It is time to craft a new global company whose design matches the best of jewels and one that could shine in an ethical yet trendy manner, the way Amul has done at the top of a milkmen's cooperative movement. It is a romantic idea for a corporate rescue but one that I think deserves attention. After all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a big boost to "Make In India." Let us not confuse that with "Fraud in India." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Let us give Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi companies to their employees, make them cooperatives

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan&nbsp;in New Delhi on Friday morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau, who is on a week-long visit to India arrived in New Delhi two days ago.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. <a href="https://t.co/L3UZryhRwL">pic.twitter.com/L3UZryhRwL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966879866208403456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trudeau&rsquo;s India visit plunged into yet another controversy on Thursday over a dinner invitation to convicted Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner to India.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="tl"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM Narendra Modi receives Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> &amp; his family at Rashtrapati Bhawan. <a href="https://t.co/g1rxUiNAu1">pic.twitter.com/g1rxUiNAu1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966882395348611077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the countries, however, have indicated that they are looking for a fresh start to India-Canada ties.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> and family welcomed by PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan. <a href="https://t.co/nUxCM83VhD">pic.twitter.com/nUxCM83VhD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966882154037747712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Canadian Prime Minister and Narendra Modi are expected to meet at Hyderabad House&nbsp;to hold bilateral talks at around noon.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his eagerness to meet with Canada PM Justin Trudeau. PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote: &ldquo;I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday morning, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and members of the Union Cabinet. Trudeau, who is on a week-long visit to India arrived in New Delhi two days ago. #Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/L3UZryhRwL — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × Trudeau’s India visit plunged into yet another controversy on Thursday over a dinner invitation to convicted Khalistan terrorist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner to India. #WATCH: PM Narendra Modi receives Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau & his family at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/g1rxUiNAu1 — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × Both the countries, however, have indicated that they are looking for a fresh start to India-Canada ties. Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau and family welcomed by PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/nUxCM83VhD — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × The Canadian Prime Minister and Narendra Modi are expected to meet at Hyderabad House to hold bilateral talks at around noon. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his eagerness to meet with Canada PM Justin Trudeau. PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote: “I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.”

Canadian PM Trudeau receives a ceremonial welcome in New Delhi, set to hold talks with PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his long maintained silence over&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/full-text-of-nirav-modis-letter-to-pnb-33448" target="_blank">Rs 11,400 crore PNB scam </a>that stirred the nation.</p>

<p>While speaking at Fourth Global Business Summit organised&nbsp;in Delhi by Economic Times he said his government has always taken strict action against financial irregularities and will continue to do that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I want to make it clear that this government has been taking strict action against financial irregularities and will continue to take strict action, System will not tolerate loot of public money,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He also requested the management of institutions to &quot;do their job diligently and with dedication&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;I want to make an appeal to those who have been entrusted with the job of framing rules and policies and maintaining ethics to do their job diligently and with dedication,&nbsp;this should especially be followed by those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of supervision and monitoring.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hitting out at the former government, he said &quot;You are aware of the earlier banking system and how an environment of crony capitalism was entrenched in the system. More than 2000 insolvency professionals and 62 insolvency entities are engaged in solving this. Our govt in three months has been able to solve more than 2700 cases&quot;.</p>

<p>He also said that his government had managed to connect over one lakh village panchayats through optical fiber in three years,&nbsp;while the previous government connected only 59 panchayats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said India was counted in &quot;Fragile 5&quot; four years ago, however, today the country&#39;s $ 5 trillion economy was the highlight.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You will remember 4 years ago, when India was talked about, it was counted in &#39;Fragile 5&#39;. Today India&#39;s $5 trillion economy aim, &amp; not Fragile 5, is talked about: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/JiC13KeJA2">pic.twitter.com/JiC13KeJA2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/967050290535870466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">While the previous govt connected only 59 panchayats through optical fibre, our govt in just 3 years connected more than 1,10,000 village panchayats through optical fibre: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/dFZpAe9dJe">pic.twitter.com/dFZpAe9dJe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/967054773139726337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


While speaking at Fourth Global Business Summit organised in Delhi by Economic Times he said 'I want to make it clear that this government has been taking strict action against financial irregularities and will continue to take strict action, System will not tolerate loot of public money'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his long maintained silence over the Rs 11,400 crore PNB scam that stirred the nation. While speaking at Fourth Global Business Summit organised in Delhi by Economic Times he said his government has always taken strict action against financial irregularities and will continue to do that. "I want to make it clear that this government has been taking strict action against financial irregularities and will continue to take strict action, System will not tolerate loot of public money," he said. He also requested the management of institutions to "do their job diligently and with dedication". He said, "I want to make an appeal to those who have been entrusted with the job of framing rules and policies and maintaining ethics to do their job diligently and with dedication, this should especially be followed by those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of supervision and monitoring. Hitting out at the former government, he said "You are aware of the earlier banking system and how an environment of crony capitalism was entrenched in the system. More than 2000 insolvency professionals and 62 insolvency entities are engaged in solving this. Our govt in three months has been able to solve more than 2700 cases". He also said that his government had managed to connect over one lakh village panchayats through optical fiber in three years, while the previous government connected only 59 panchayats. He said India was counted in "Fragile 5" four years ago, however, today the country's $ 5 trillion economy was the highlight. You will remember 4 years ago, when India was talked about, it was counted in 'Fragile 5'. Today India's $5 trillion economy aim, & not Fragile 5, is talked about: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/JiC13KeJA2 — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 × While the previous govt connected only 59 panchayats through optical fibre, our govt in just 3 years connected more than 1,10,000 village panchayats through optical fibre: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/dFZpAe9dJe — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018 ×

Our government will continue to take strict action against financial irregularities: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he is looking forward to the meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking to Twitter, Modi said: I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I look forward to meeting PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/966676587662819328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a separate tweet, Modi said that he hoped Trudeau had an enjoyable visit to India so far and that he particularly looked forward to meeting Trudeau&#39;s three children Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I hope PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far. I particularly look forward to meeting his children Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. Here is a picture from my 2015 Canada visit, when I&#39;d met PM Trudeau and Ella-Grace. <a href="https://t.co/Ox0M8EL46x">pic.twitter.com/Ox0M8EL46x</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/966677556299624448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also posted a picture of him along with Trudeau and Ella-Grace during his visit to Canada in April 2015.</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s comments came even as a row broke out about an invitation being extended to convicted Khalistan separatist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commission here for a reception on Thursday night in honour of the visiting dignitary.</p>


The duo are expected to hold talks on defence and counter-terrorism cooperation during their meeting tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he is looking forward to the meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family on Friday. Taking to Twitter, Modi said: I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries. I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2018 × In a separate tweet, Modi said that he hoped Trudeau had an enjoyable visit to India so far and that he particularly looked forward to meeting Trudeau's three children Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien. I hope PM @JustinTrudeau and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far. I particularly look forward to meeting his children Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. Here is a picture from my 2015 Canada visit, when I'd met PM Trudeau and Ella-Grace. pic.twitter.com/Ox0M8EL46x — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2018 × He also posted a picture of him along with Trudeau and Ella-Grace during his visit to Canada in April 2015. Modi's comments came even as a row broke out about an invitation being extended to convicted Khalistan separatist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commission here for a reception on Thursday night in honour of the visiting dignitary.

Look forward to meeting Justin Trudeau and his kids: PM Modi

<p>As China should work towards reducing tension in the Indian Ocean Region and put pressure on Pakistan to accept India&#39;s position over Kashmir, an improved Sino-Indian relationship can only be possible if India, in response, should agree to facilitate the unhindered utilisation of Chinese-built road through Aksai Chin. The Chinese built this road to serve some very crucial logistical purposes, particularly, to connect with the Xin Jiang province, the raison de etre for the occupation of Aksai Chin in 1962. Further, India should also agree to transit facilities to China for CPEC infrastructure, passing through the Indian territory in POK.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>China needs to persuade Pakistan to see reason in revisiting their political priorities. Pakistan&#39;s Kashmir obsession has catapulted it into a political cauldron of the economic mess, governance deficit and slanderous afflictions associated with terrorism. It has been amply proved in Pakistan&#39;s case that the religion alone is not the binding force to sustain the viability of a nation-state. Pakistan needs to introspect their politico-religious concepts as they have failed to keep East Pakistan based on it and there are dissident movements continuing within Pakistan, indicating flaws in theological overreach which Pakistan propagates in Kashmir.</p>

<p>Moreover, looking at current US strategic interests, Russian assertiveness, and Chinese aggressiveness in the Asian landscape,&nbsp; it has the potential to impact on political autonomy and security of Pakistan itself.&nbsp; Reconciliation with India would bestow higher political buoyancy to absorb the negative influences of extra-regional manipulations which is a bigger threat to them as on date. Pakistani civil society and think tanks are abuzz with such fears and have been vocal in favour of an urgent need of a reality check by the ruling establishment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Post reconciliation, if it happens, Pakistan would no longer require strategic depth against India which has been the primary motive of their complicity in fostering insurgency in Afghanistan. As a cascading effect, it would pave the way for reconciliation amongst the warring factions of Afghanistan as Pakistan have substantial influence over Taliban and their affiliates. It will help in bringing about political stability in the Af-Pak region, leading to a gradual reduction in terrorism, a matter of grave international concern. It would also deny any excuse for extra-regional powers to meddle in their internal affairs to an extent they do it as of now.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With security situation improving in Afghanistan, the success of CPEC would get a further boost with the participation of Central Asian Republics and Eurasian countries. Besides this, Pakistan would have much needed higher economic synergies with a friendly India and its&nbsp; MFN status for trade and commerce. As a consequence, Pakistan would have fair chances to bring about their economic turnaround. It is time for Pakistan to realise that their political vibrancy is a function of regional cohesiveness and not extra-regional political surrogacy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp; spectre of ten ASEAN heads of states on 69th republic day of India, Quad sponsored mil exercises in Indo- Pacific, suspension&nbsp; of US aid to Pakistan,&nbsp; Indian&nbsp; concern on illegality of CPEC alignment through POK, Chabahar port as an alternate linkage to Afghanistan and Eurasia are all links to a subtle&nbsp; political message to China and Pakistan combine signaling them to revisit their priority matrix . India is central to this diplomatic push being the dominant power in IOR and South Asian landscape, hence need be taken seriously.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike Chinese self-seeking exclusivity, India has aspirations of peaceful growth including everyone as per their ancient philosophy of &ldquo;Vasudeva Kutumbam&rdquo;(the world is one family). The key to Chinese aspirations and Pakistani politico-economic stability lies in recognising the legally correct status of J&amp;K as it existed at the time of accession with India, and restoring forced occupation of its territories to India. Yes, it is difficult to change the subversive political narratives propagated by both China and Pakistan for their vested interests all these years. But, given the current national interests of all parties, reconciliation is the only sensible way forward, and it is bound to happen sooner or later. Therefore, it is time to move away from the designed manipulative discourses by the Chinese as well as Pakistani leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India as an economically vibrant, militarily strong, politically mature nation with strong strategic pull is a beacon to be rallied around to bring in positive political synergies in the South Asian landscape.&nbsp; Marching together with India will bring about higher strategic dividends to both China as well as Pakistan, a win-win situation for all.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To do all these, the Chinese political tango needs a paradigm shift in the orchestration of her steps in sync with contemporary global strategic outlook and keeping in rhythm with regional compatriots to achieve their ambitions of world leadership role. The ball is in China&rsquo;s court. Take it, or leave it.</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


China needs to persuade Pakistan to see reason in revisiting their political priorities in Kashmir.

As China should work towards reducing tension in the Indian Ocean Region and put pressure on Pakistan to accept India's position over Kashmir, an improved Sino-Indian relationship can only be possible if India, in response, should agree to facilitate the unhindered utilisation of Chinese-built road through Aksai Chin. The Chinese built this road to serve some very crucial logistical purposes, particularly, to connect with the Xin Jiang province, the raison de etre for the occupation of Aksai Chin in 1962. Further, India should also agree to transit facilities to China for CPEC infrastructure, passing through the Indian territory in POK. China needs to persuade Pakistan to see reason in revisiting their political priorities. Pakistan's Kashmir obsession has catapulted it into a political cauldron of the economic mess, governance deficit and slanderous afflictions associated with terrorism. It has been amply proved in Pakistan's case that the religion alone is not the binding force to sustain the viability of a nation-state. Pakistan needs to introspect their politico-religious concepts as they have failed to keep East Pakistan based on it and there are dissident movements continuing within Pakistan, indicating flaws in theological overreach which Pakistan propagates in Kashmir. Moreover, looking at current US strategic interests, Russian assertiveness, and Chinese aggressiveness in the Asian landscape, it has the potential to impact on political autonomy and security of Pakistan itself. Reconciliation with India would bestow higher political buoyancy to absorb the negative influences of extra-regional manipulations which is a bigger threat to them as on date. Pakistani civil society and think tanks are abuzz with such fears and have been vocal in favour of an urgent need of a reality check by the ruling establishment. Post reconciliation, if it happens, Pakistan would no longer require strategic depth against India which has been the primary motive of their complicity in fostering insurgency in Afghanistan. As a cascading effect, it would pave the way for reconciliation amongst the warring factions of Afghanistan as Pakistan have substantial influence over Taliban and their affiliates. It will help in bringing about political stability in the Af-Pak region, leading to a gradual reduction in terrorism, a matter of grave international concern. It would also deny any excuse for extra-regional powers to meddle in their internal affairs to an extent they do it as of now. With security situation improving in Afghanistan, the success of CPEC would get a further boost with the participation of Central Asian Republics and Eurasian countries. Besides this, Pakistan would have much needed higher economic synergies with a friendly India and its MFN status for trade and commerce. As a consequence, Pakistan would have fair chances to bring about their economic turnaround. It is time for Pakistan to realise that their political vibrancy is a function of regional cohesiveness and not extra-regional political surrogacy. The spectre of ten ASEAN heads of states on 69th republic day of India, Quad sponsored mil exercises in Indo- Pacific, suspension of US aid to Pakistan, Indian concern on illegality of CPEC alignment through POK, Chabahar port as an alternate linkage to Afghanistan and Eurasia are all links to a subtle political message to China and Pakistan combine signaling them to revisit their priority matrix . India is central to this diplomatic push being the dominant power in IOR and South Asian landscape, hence need be taken seriously. Unlike Chinese self-seeking exclusivity, India has aspirations of peaceful growth including everyone as per their ancient philosophy of “Vasudeva Kutumbam”(the world is one family). The key to Chinese aspirations and Pakistani politico-economic stability lies in recognising the legally correct status of J&K as it existed at the time of accession with India, and restoring forced occupation of its territories to India. Yes, it is difficult to change the subversive political narratives propagated by both China and Pakistan for their vested interests all these years. But, given the current national interests of all parties, reconciliation is the only sensible way forward, and it is bound to happen sooner or later. Therefore, it is time to move away from the designed manipulative discourses by the Chinese as well as Pakistani leaders. India as an economically vibrant, militarily strong, politically mature nation with strong strategic pull is a beacon to be rallied around to bring in positive political synergies in the South Asian landscape. Marching together with India will bring about higher strategic dividends to both China as well as Pakistan, a win-win situation for all. To do all these, the Chinese political tango needs a paradigm shift in the orchestration of her steps in sync with contemporary global strategic outlook and keeping in rhythm with regional compatriots to achieve their ambitions of world leadership role. The ball is in China’s court. Take it, or leave it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Kashmir is key to political reconciliation between India, Pakistan, China

<p>Addressing an election rally in Meghalaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the people&nbsp;that the state needs a double engine, one from Meghalaya and other from Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;if both the engines come together, all the work which had been halted for 50 years will begin at once&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meghalaya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in West Garo Hills district&#39;s Phulbari <a href="https://t.co/pIEuy1tJHf">pic.twitter.com/pIEuy1tJHf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966614698182565888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taking a shot at the Congress government in the state he said &quot;the current government has wasted your 50 years. I urge you to provide us with one opportunity for five years&quot;.</p>

<p>He added that no roads were to be seen in the state even after crore of rupees was released by the Central government.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What is the reason that even if Crores of rupees are released by Delhi for roads, there are no roads to be seen in Meghalaya?: PM Modi in Phulbari, Meghalaya <a href="https://t.co/CwZPOY938H">pic.twitter.com/CwZPOY938H</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966640560860573696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi said, &quot;Today the world is appreciating India, the reason behind this is not Modi but you, the people&quot;.</p>

<p>The tenure of the current 60-member assembly in the state will end&nbsp;on March 6, while the polls are scheduled for February 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi said, 'if both the engines come together, all the work which had been halted for 50 years will begin at once'

Addressing an election rally in Meghalaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the people that the state needs a double engine, one from Meghalaya and other from Delhi. He said, "if both the engines come together, all the work which had been halted for 50 years will begin at once". Meghalaya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in West Garo Hills district's Phulbari pic.twitter.com/pIEuy1tJHf — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Taking a shot at the Congress government in the state he said "the current government has wasted your 50 years. I urge you to provide us with one opportunity for five years". He added that no roads were to be seen in the state even after crore of rupees was released by the Central government. What is the reason that even if Crores of rupees are released by Delhi for roads, there are no roads to be seen in Meghalaya?: PM Modi in Phulbari, Meghalaya pic.twitter.com/CwZPOY938H — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × PM Modi said, "Today the world is appreciating India, the reason behind this is not Modi but you, the people". The tenure of the current 60-member assembly in the state will end on March 6, while the polls are scheduled for February 27.

Meghalaya govt has wasted 50 years, says PM Modi

<p>Ahead of the Nagaland assembly elections, Prime Minister&nbsp;Modi said his vision for development in the state is through transportation.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My vision for the Northeast is transformation by transportation: PM Narendra Modi in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nagaland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nagaland</a>&#39;s Tuensang. <a href="https://t.co/V7jTzdodlJ">pic.twitter.com/V7jTzdodlJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966568772893945856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While addressing a rally in&nbsp;the poll-bound state PM Modi also ensured the people of&nbsp;utilising&nbsp;the entire amount of fund allocated for their state.&nbsp;He said with the help of technology their&nbsp;government will check the wastage of public money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot;We would ensure that the funds released for your state reaches you. With the help of technology, we will plug the loopholes which are causing wastage of public money&quot;.</p>

<p>He also&nbsp;said &quot;&nbsp;Energetic youth, creative women, innovative farmer and demographic dividend of Nagaland will help it scale new heights&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Visuals of PM Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nagaland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nagaland</a>&#39;s Tuensang. <a href="https://t.co/hlx2AhKtUC">pic.twitter.com/hlx2AhKtUC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966579553278689280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nagaland will undergo assembly elections on February 27.&nbsp;</p>


While addressing a rally in the poll-bound state PM Modi also ensured the people of utilising the entire amount of fund allocated for their state. He said with the help of technology their government will check the wastage of public money

Ahead of the Nagaland assembly elections, Prime Minister Modi said his vision for development in the state is through transportation. My vision for the Northeast is transformation by transportation: PM Narendra Modi in #Nagaland's Tuensang. pic.twitter.com/V7jTzdodlJ — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × While addressing a rally in the poll-bound state PM Modi also ensured the people of utilising the entire amount of fund allocated for their state. He said with the help of technology their government will check the wastage of public money. He said "We would ensure that the funds released for your state reaches you. With the help of technology, we will plug the loopholes which are causing wastage of public money". He also said " Energetic youth, creative women, innovative farmer and demographic dividend of Nagaland will help it scale new heights". Visuals of PM Narendra Modi's visit to #Nagaland's Tuensang. pic.twitter.com/hlx2AhKtUC — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Nagaland will undergo assembly elections on February 27.

PM Modi envisions 'transformation through transportation' in Nagaland

<p>In another jibe, Congress President Rahul Gandhi targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him why does he ask people to share topics for discussions when he knows exactly what issues plague a common India&#39;s mind.</p>

<p>&quot;Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about?&quot; tweeted Rahul Gandhi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Modi Ji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your Mann Ki Baat monologue.<br />
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Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about?<br />
<br />
1. Nirav Modi&#39;s 22,000 Cr. Loot &amp; Scoot<br />
<br />
2. The 58,000 Cr. RAFALE scam.<br />
<br />
I look forward to your sermon. <a href="https://t.co/jp0AnLePtU">pic.twitter.com/jp0AnLePtU</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/966199270083842048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gandhi noted every India would want the Prime Minister to talk about &quot;Nirav Modi&#39;s 22,000 crore loot &amp; scoot and the 58,000 crore Rafale scam&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I look forward to your sermon,&quot; Gandhi further added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had &quot;ignored&quot; his suggestions for &quot;Mann Ki Baat monologue&quot;.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is usually expected to address the nation every month on All India Radio in his &#39;Mann Ki Baat&#39;&nbsp;monologue. The programme is open to suggestions and topics of discussions from the citizens.&nbsp;</p>


Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had 'ignored' his suggestions for 'Mann Ki Baat monologue'

In another jibe, Congress President Rahul Gandhi targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him why does he ask people to share topics for discussions when he knows exactly what issues plague a common India's mind. "Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about?" tweeted Rahul Gandhi. Modi Ji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your Mann Ki Baat monologue. Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about? 1. Nirav Modi's 22,000 Cr. Loot & Scoot 2. The 58,000 Cr. RAFALE scam. I look forward to your sermon. pic.twitter.com/jp0AnLePtU — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 21, 2018 × Gandhi noted every India would want the Prime Minister to talk about "Nirav Modi's 22,000 crore loot & scoot and the 58,000 crore Rafale scam" "I look forward to your sermon," Gandhi further added. Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had "ignored" his suggestions for "Mann Ki Baat monologue". Prime Minister Narendra Modi is usually expected to address the nation every month on All India Radio in his 'Mann Ki Baat' monologue. The programme is open to suggestions and topics of discussions from the citizens.

Let's talk about Nirav, Rafale scam: Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi

<p>The probable way out for China from the policy impasse it has imposed upon itself is to break the glass ceiling first; they have to patch up with their perceived regional rivals before embarking on global outreach. In that, China needs to move away from their strategy of manipulating their unsubstantiated history and territorial claims without corroborative evidence. In order to rebuild their image, China needs to reach out to both global as well as regional bigwigs by showing genuine cooperative approach, shedding their confrontationist attitude.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the South China Sea, the international court had found no proper evidence of historical sovereignty of China over disputed island territories as claimed by them. Hence, China should gracefully accept the verdict in order to reduce the existing political friction with the US and her neighbours in Indo-Pacific. China would be the biggest beneficiary as it would facilitate the transit of their energy supplies and trade without any military threats, reducing their insecurity syndrome which happens to be the main factor of their political irrationalities.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>China should also not forget that success of their economic model is contingent on continued patronage of western countries who use China as their manufacturing hub and operate as markets for Chinese finished goods. In the recently held world economic forum at Davos, the president of US has already conveyed their plans of a protectionist regime. If the US decides to manufacture their own goods, it will have a tremendous effect on China. The Chinese &lsquo;position of strength&rsquo; lies in the continuation of her robust economy, and it is certainly not a good idea to undo their hard-earned achievements by indulging in futile self-defeating aggressive politics. China has to be a part of the team first, so as to be a team leader at an appropriate time.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Closer home India, with her politico-economic buoyancy and strategic strength, is not a pushover anymore as China perceives. The Doklam episode has not only clearly exposed the Chinese bluff, it has thrown light on India&#39;s political will and military capabilities to neutralise such coercive attempts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>China cannot ignore India. Their economic agenda would be severely impacted as India dominates Chinese logistics network both on western as well as southern flanks. Therefore, unless India is on board, Chinese outreach to rest of the world would always suffer from insecurity syndrome.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, commissioning of Chabahar port as an alternate safer and economical route for Eurasian countries and CARs has potential to make a dent in the viability of CPEC scheme. Therefore, it would be most sensible for China to come around the Indian point of view if they want to ensure the success of CPEC, their biggest political investment in recent times. Hence, there is a need to revisit the strategic priorities based on professional logic and rationale instead of typical Chinese egoist emotional hype in their political forays.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A pragmatic solution lies in the recognition of the legitimacy of J&amp;K as an integral part of India, as agreed by the Maharaja. It would be in Chinese interests to persuade Pakistan to accept the correct legal position of J&amp;K.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A reconciliation between China and India will reduce Chinese security concerns over land as well as in the Indian Ocean, a big strategic take away which China desperately needs. It would resolve most of the contentious political issues, restricting peace and prosperity in the region.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such a statesmanship on part of China would catapult her on a high moral pedestal and set precedence for others to follow.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


A reconciliation between China and India will reduce Chinese security concerns over land as well as in the Indian Ocean, a big strategic take away which China desperately needs.

The probable way out for China from the policy impasse it has imposed upon itself is to break the glass ceiling first; they have to patch up with their perceived regional rivals before embarking on global outreach. In that, China needs to move away from their strategy of manipulating their unsubstantiated history and territorial claims without corroborative evidence. In order to rebuild their image, China needs to reach out to both global as well as regional bigwigs by showing genuine cooperative approach, shedding their confrontationist attitude. In the South China Sea, the international court had found no proper evidence of historical sovereignty of China over disputed island territories as claimed by them. Hence, China should gracefully accept the verdict in order to reduce the existing political friction with the US and her neighbours in Indo-Pacific. China would be the biggest beneficiary as it would facilitate the transit of their energy supplies and trade without any military threats, reducing their insecurity syndrome which happens to be the main factor of their political irrationalities. China should also not forget that success of their economic model is contingent on continued patronage of western countries who use China as their manufacturing hub and operate as markets for Chinese finished goods. In the recently held world economic forum at Davos, the president of US has already conveyed their plans of a protectionist regime. If the US decides to manufacture their own goods, it will have a tremendous effect on China. The Chinese ‘position of strength’ lies in the continuation of her robust economy, and it is certainly not a good idea to undo their hard-earned achievements by indulging in futile self-defeating aggressive politics. China has to be a part of the team first, so as to be a team leader at an appropriate time. Closer home India, with her politico-economic buoyancy and strategic strength, is not a pushover anymore as China perceives. The Doklam episode has not only clearly exposed the Chinese bluff, it has thrown light on India's political will and military capabilities to neutralise such coercive attempts. China cannot ignore India. Their economic agenda would be severely impacted as India dominates Chinese logistics network both on western as well as southern flanks. Therefore, unless India is on board, Chinese outreach to rest of the world would always suffer from insecurity syndrome. Moreover, commissioning of Chabahar port as an alternate safer and economical route for Eurasian countries and CARs has potential to make a dent in the viability of CPEC scheme. Therefore, it would be most sensible for China to come around the Indian point of view if they want to ensure the success of CPEC, their biggest political investment in recent times. Hence, there is a need to revisit the strategic priorities based on professional logic and rationale instead of typical Chinese egoist emotional hype in their political forays. A pragmatic solution lies in the recognition of the legitimacy of J&K as an integral part of India, as agreed by the Maharaja. It would be in Chinese interests to persuade Pakistan to accept the correct legal position of J&K. A reconciliation between China and India will reduce Chinese security concerns over land as well as in the Indian Ocean, a big strategic take away which China desperately needs. It would resolve most of the contentious political issues, restricting peace and prosperity in the region. Such a statesmanship on part of China would catapult her on a high moral pedestal and set precedence for others to follow. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: China needs to reconcile with India to be a superpower

<p>Gujarat&#39;s Deputy CM and Finance Minister Nitin Patel presented the Budget for Gujarat&#39;s 14th assembly today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other eminent leaders, Patel noted Gujarat&#39;s fiscal deficit at a record low of 1.42 per cent&nbsp;while an increase in revenue surplus from Rs 1704 cr in 2015-16 to Rs 5947 cr in 2016-17 was recorded.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The fiscal deficit which was 2.24% of GSDP in 2015-16 has come down to a record low level of 1.42% of GSDP During 2016-17. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratBudget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratBudget</a></p>
&mdash; Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijayrupanibjp/status/965869136747356160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gujarat&#39;s budget for the financial year 2018-19 amounts to a whopping 1,83,666 crore rupees, up from last year&#39;s Rs 1.72 lakh crore-budget.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our Government has made the fundamentals of the state economy more strong in comparison with other states. The strength of the state economy and the buoyancy in revenue receipts, size of the budget for next year is Rs. 1,83,666 Cr Compared to Rs. 1,72,179 Cr of current year.</p>
&mdash; Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijayrupanibjp/status/965871381731774464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>1.22 lakh new agriculture power connections will be provided with the help of Rs 1921 crore. Water resources and water supply will be bolstered up with the help of Rs 14895 crore allocation. 10 new schemes at the cost of Rs 2800 crore will be started in Gujarat&#39;s tribal areas for providing safe and clean drinking water.</p>

<p>Patel announced 30,000 new recruitments for the next fiscal. A provision of Rs 780 crore aims to provide new employment opportunities. A sum of Rs 506 crore has been allotted for the welfare of Gujarat&#39;s economically backward section.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our Government has allocated an amount of Rs. 1101 cr towards Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Price stability fund, Khedut Akasmat Bima Yojana and others to protect farmers against agricultural risks and provide support for crop loss during natural calamities.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratBudget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratBudget</a></p>
&mdash; Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijayrupanibjp/status/965901225060421632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The government aims to safeguard the Asiatic lion and has allotted Rs four crore under &#39;Project Lion&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among other announcements, Rs 1 crore was allocated for the development of four new cyber crime police stations in cities like Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Mehsana.</p>

<p>Ahmedabad will get its metro line at the expense of Rs 592 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat University will get a Research Park on its campus. A provision of Rs 13 crore has been made for a new campus of Gujarat Technological University.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Close to Rs&nbsp;22 crores has been allocated to boost solar tourism in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>seaplanes services and new airports will be developed under the budgetary proposal.</p>

<p>The government is likely to start 51 new food centres in addition to the existing 87 centres under the Sharamik Annapurna Yojana. Rs 80 crore has been allotted for the same.</p>

<p>Gujarat&#39;s Chief Minister recently noted that this year&#39;s budget will chiefly focus on farmers and the welfare of the village community.&nbsp;</p>


Gujarat's budget for the financial year 2018-19 amounts to a whopping 1,83,666 crore rupees

Gujarat's Deputy CM and Finance Minister Nitin Patel presented the Budget for Gujarat's 14th assembly today. In the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other eminent leaders, Patel noted Gujarat's fiscal deficit at a record low of 1.42 per cent while an increase in revenue surplus from Rs 1704 cr in 2015-16 to Rs 5947 cr in 2016-17 was recorded. The fiscal deficit which was 2.24% of GSDP in 2015-16 has come down to a record low level of 1.42% of GSDP During 2016-17. #GujaratBudget — Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) February 20, 2018 × Gujarat's budget for the financial year 2018-19 amounts to a whopping 1,83,666 crore rupees, up from last year's Rs 1.72 lakh crore-budget. Our Government has made the fundamentals of the state economy more strong in comparison with other states. The strength of the state economy and the buoyancy in revenue receipts, size of the budget for next year is Rs. 1,83,666 Cr Compared to Rs. 1,72,179 Cr of current year. — Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) February 20, 2018 × 1.22 lakh new agriculture power connections will be provided with the help of Rs 1921 crore. Water resources and water supply will be bolstered up with the help of Rs 14895 crore allocation. 10 new schemes at the cost of Rs 2800 crore will be started in Gujarat's tribal areas for providing safe and clean drinking water. Patel announced 30,000 new recruitments for the next fiscal. A provision of Rs 780 crore aims to provide new employment opportunities. A sum of Rs 506 crore has been allotted for the welfare of Gujarat's economically backward section. Our Government has allocated an amount of Rs. 1101 cr towards Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Price stability fund, Khedut Akasmat Bima Yojana and others to protect farmers against agricultural risks and provide support for crop loss during natural calamities.#GujaratBudget — Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) February 20, 2018 × The government aims to safeguard the Asiatic lion and has allotted Rs four crore under 'Project Lion'. Among other announcements, Rs 1 crore was allocated for the development of four new cyber crime police stations in cities like Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Mehsana. Ahmedabad will get its metro line at the expense of Rs 592 crore. Gujarat University will get a Research Park on its campus. A provision of Rs 13 crore has been made for a new campus of Gujarat Technological University. Close to Rs 22 crores has been allocated to boost solar tourism in the state. seaplanes services and new airports will be developed under the budgetary proposal. The government is likely to start 51 new food centres in addition to the existing 87 centres under the Sharamik Annapurna Yojana. Rs 80 crore has been allotted for the same. Gujarat's Chief Minister recently noted that this year's budget will chiefly focus on farmers and the welfare of the village community.

Gujarat Budget 2018: Big money for job creation, safe drinking water and power connections

<p>Polling in Tripura recorded an 89.96 % turn out. This is not exactly a record turn-out. It means 10 % of 25.73 lakh or 2.5 lakh people (approximately) never turned up to vote. Considering that Tripura is one of the few states with high voter literacy and since both the Left Front and the BJP have undertaken considerable booth management exercises, the turn-out is rather dismal. Be that as it may, Tripura&rsquo;s fate is now sealed. We have to wait till March 3 for the verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But until yesterday, Manik Sarkar, Tripura&rsquo;s chief minister till date and for the last 20 years confidently claimed that the Left Front would return to power even as BJP stalwarts in Tripura countered his claims and say the voters will decide whether they want to be stuck with a non-delivering socialistic paradigm or a development-oriented government that people have been deprived of for several decades. Prime Minister Modi made a special appeal to the voters of Tripura to come out and vote for the BJP which promises &#39;Change&#39;.</p>

<p>The BJP has made a clutter of promises from the universal health insurance to farm loan waiver and smartphone for youths to direct funding for ADC &ndash; 2018 and above all implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and enhanced daily wages to Rs 340 per day. Countering the BJP claims, working president of the Congress Party (which is now reduced to a complete non-entity and which might not get even a single seat this time), Pradyot Debbarma says the BJP is promising the moon but will find it hard to deliver. &ldquo;They are talking about the 7th Pay Commission here but have not implemented the same in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. The daily wages under MNREGA in Assam where BJP is ruling is Rs 170, so how can they pay Rs 340 in Tripura?&rdquo; The problem is that the Congress offers nothing better except to counter the BJP&rsquo;s claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This, in fact, is the problem with the Congress Party in the poll-bound states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. The Party has no vision for the region and the states. It has just been lambasting the BJP and voters are actually tired of these political slugfests on a daily basis. Rahul Gandhi, the AICC President, came to campaign in Tripura only on the penultimate date, 48 hours before polling. This has not enchanted people to vote for Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In fact, the rise of the Left Parties in Tripura is proportionate to the failure of the Congress Party to win hearts and minds. From a movement initiated by enlightened youth in the 1940s the CPI which later morphed into the CPI (M), went on to form the first Left Front government in alliance with two other parties - the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc in 1978. The Congress aligned with Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS) &ndash; a party of the indigenous people of Tripura and defeated the Left Front in 1988. But this coalition was short-lived. By the next election in 1993, the Left Front returned to power.</p>

<p>Much has been said about Manik Sarkar&rsquo;s honesty and him being the poorest chief minister of Tripura but this claim is busted by the Rose Valley chit fund scam where Sarkar&rsquo;s ministers were singed. The Company is alleged to have looted Rs 35 crore of public deposits, according to State Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha. No action taken against the accused has created disaffection in the depositors.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Moreover, the failure of the Left Front to address unemployment; its failure to attract industries for employment generation and a general sense that even the Digital India drive that has enabled the country to connect with the world, has not worked for Tripura and you have an anatomy of failed governance.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Then there is the infamous ruling by the Supreme Court where 10,323 government teachers were terminated because the state Education Department flouted the rules under which the teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had to be recruited which required a certain qualification and three years of experience. The state created over 12 thousand non-teaching posts where they might have been rehabilitated but again the Supreme Court prevented the Government from going ahead with this plan. Hence, the 12,000 odd jobless people are bound to retaliate against the Government. Or that is what is expected in normal circumstances.</p>

<p>The Medical College started in Tripura, has not been functioning well and the BJP has called out all the scams that it has documented meticulously. To start industries in a Left-ruled state has always been a challenge because of the rent-seeking mafia. Hence industries that opened up with much fanfare quickly shut down because there was no scope for their enterprise to bloom in Tripura.</p>

<p>Tripura has about 8 lakh of unemployed youth and jobs in the government sector have stagnated. Government employees are still stuck with the 4th Pay Commission. Dissatisfaction is writ large on their faces. Meanwhile, the BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection. The BJP used its students&rsquo; wing- the ABVP and the disciplined RSS machinery. They were able to build grassroots contact.</p>

<p>To add to this extensive exercise the BJP also flew in its central ministers. Prime Minister Modi flew in twice to Tripura. Amit Shah, the BJP President, organised mega rallies. Other senior ministers flew in and out of Tripura. So did the ministers from neighbouring Assam and Manipur, both BJP ruled states. It is alleged that the BJP also had the moolah which Manik Sarkar&rsquo;s Party could not afford. Political observers said, &ldquo;Never before have we seen four private planes parked at Agartala airport&quot;. Central ministers were literally flying in and out of Tripura.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So eager is the BJP to win this Left bastion that it has pulled out all the stops. It remains to be seen if this effort would pay dividends. The BJP has been pitching for change in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What change party brings,&nbsp;will be revealed when and if the BJP comes to power? Until then the voters of Tripura must wait and watch. So to the two main political rivals!&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


The BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection in Tripura.

Polling in Tripura recorded an 89.96 % turn out. This is not exactly a record turn-out. It means 10 % of 25.73 lakh or 2.5 lakh people (approximately) never turned up to vote. Considering that Tripura is one of the few states with high voter literacy and since both the Left Front and the BJP have undertaken considerable booth management exercises, the turn-out is rather dismal. Be that as it may, Tripura’s fate is now sealed. We have to wait till March 3 for the verdict. But until yesterday, Manik Sarkar, Tripura’s chief minister till date and for the last 20 years confidently claimed that the Left Front would return to power even as BJP stalwarts in Tripura countered his claims and say the voters will decide whether they want to be stuck with a non-delivering socialistic paradigm or a development-oriented government that people have been deprived of for several decades. Prime Minister Modi made a special appeal to the voters of Tripura to come out and vote for the BJP which promises 'Change'. The BJP has made a clutter of promises from the universal health insurance to farm loan waiver and smartphone for youths to direct funding for ADC – 2018 and above all implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and enhanced daily wages to Rs 340 per day. Countering the BJP claims, working president of the Congress Party (which is now reduced to a complete non-entity and which might not get even a single seat this time), Pradyot Debbarma says the BJP is promising the moon but will find it hard to deliver. “They are talking about the 7th Pay Commission here but have not implemented the same in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. The daily wages under MNREGA in Assam where BJP is ruling is Rs 170, so how can they pay Rs 340 in Tripura?” The problem is that the Congress offers nothing better except to counter the BJP’s claims. This, in fact, is the problem with the Congress Party in the poll-bound states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. The Party has no vision for the region and the states. It has just been lambasting the BJP and voters are actually tired of these political slugfests on a daily basis. Rahul Gandhi, the AICC President, came to campaign in Tripura only on the penultimate date, 48 hours before polling. This has not enchanted people to vote for Congress. In fact, the rise of the Left Parties in Tripura is proportionate to the failure of the Congress Party to win hearts and minds. From a movement initiated by enlightened youth in the 1940s the CPI which later morphed into the CPI (M), went on to form the first Left Front government in alliance with two other parties - the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc in 1978. The Congress aligned with Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS) – a party of the indigenous people of Tripura and defeated the Left Front in 1988. But this coalition was short-lived. By the next election in 1993, the Left Front returned to power. Much has been said about Manik Sarkar’s honesty and him being the poorest chief minister of Tripura but this claim is busted by the Rose Valley chit fund scam where Sarkar’s ministers were singed. The Company is alleged to have looted Rs 35 crore of public deposits, according to State Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha. No action taken against the accused has created disaffection in the depositors. Moreover, the failure of the Left Front to address unemployment; its failure to attract industries for employment generation and a general sense that even the Digital India drive that has enabled the country to connect with the world, has not worked for Tripura and you have an anatomy of failed governance. Then there is the infamous ruling by the Supreme Court where 10,323 government teachers were terminated because the state Education Department flouted the rules under which the teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had to be recruited which required a certain qualification and three years of experience. The state created over 12 thousand non-teaching posts where they might have been rehabilitated but again the Supreme Court prevented the Government from going ahead with this plan. Hence, the 12,000 odd jobless people are bound to retaliate against the Government. Or that is what is expected in normal circumstances. The Medical College started in Tripura, has not been functioning well and the BJP has called out all the scams that it has documented meticulously. To start industries in a Left-ruled state has always been a challenge because of the rent-seeking mafia. Hence industries that opened up with much fanfare quickly shut down because there was no scope for their enterprise to bloom in Tripura. Tripura has about 8 lakh of unemployed youth and jobs in the government sector have stagnated. Government employees are still stuck with the 4th Pay Commission. Dissatisfaction is writ large on their faces. Meanwhile, the BJP has come in with a basketful of promises and hopes to cash in on this feeling of large-scale disaffection. The BJP used its students’ wing- the ABVP and the disciplined RSS machinery. They were able to build grassroots contact. To add to this extensive exercise the BJP also flew in its central ministers. Prime Minister Modi flew in twice to Tripura. Amit Shah, the BJP President, organised mega rallies. Other senior ministers flew in and out of Tripura. So did the ministers from neighbouring Assam and Manipur, both BJP ruled states. It is alleged that the BJP also had the moolah which Manik Sarkar’s Party could not afford. Political observers said, “Never before have we seen four private planes parked at Agartala airport". Central ministers were literally flying in and out of Tripura. So eager is the BJP to win this Left bastion that it has pulled out all the stops. It remains to be seen if this effort would pay dividends. The BJP has been pitching for change in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. What change party brings, will be revealed when and if the BJP comes to power? Until then the voters of Tripura must wait and watch. So to the two main political rivals! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Tripura is disappointed with Left but can BJP do better?

<p>BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-nirav-modi-the-billionaire-jeweller-at-centre-of-rs-11000-crore-scam-32970" target="_blank">Nirav Modi </a>were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said &quot;&nbsp;Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congress&#39;&nbsp;allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NiravModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NiravModi</a> case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/a6QUz0DAE1">pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965923953171673088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister&#39;s delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Clarifying the allegations of the Congress Amit Shah said 'Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized over 5000 crore assets

BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on Nirav Modi were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum. Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said " Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets". The Congress' allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event. Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as #NiravModi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1 — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018 × Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister's delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.

Photographs of PM Modi with Nirav Modi prove nothing: Amit Shah

<p>Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/tag/narendra-modi/" target="_blank">Narendra Modi</a>&nbsp;today visited Lilavati Hospital here to enquire about the health of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Modi was in the hospital for 15 minutes in the evening,&rdquo; a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/tag/bharatiya-janata-party/" target="_blank">BJP</a>&nbsp;source said. &ldquo;The prime minister was accompanied by Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,&rdquo; the source told PTI.</p>

<p>Earlier today, the hospital authorities said Parrikar is &ldquo;responding well to treatment&rdquo;. &ldquo;It has been brought to our notice (that) various malicious and misleading reports/rumours are floating around in the electronic/print media with regards to his health,&rdquo; a hospital statement read. Modi&rsquo;s visit to the hospital came on a day Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant met Governor Mridula Sinha in Panaji to discuss the situation in view of Parrikar&rsquo;s ill-health.</p>

<p>The budget session of the Goa Assembly begins tomorrow.</p>

<p>The Budget session of the Goa Assembly will be curtailed to three days owing to ill health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital. Parrikar, who is being treated at the Lilavati Hospital for a pancreatic ailment since February 15, would not attend the session, said BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar.</p>

<p>The budget session will begin tomorrow with Governor Mridula Sinha&rsquo;s address. It was scheduled to end in mid-March, but now it would end in three days owing to Parrikar&rsquo;s illness, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said. The state budget, scheduled for February 22, will now be presented on February 20, the deputy speaker said, adding that the Business Advisory Committee will meet tomorrow afternoon to take a formal decision on cutting the session short.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The questions, which were supposed to be discussed in the current session, would be postponed to the next session,&rdquo; Lobo said. Legislature sources said minister Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party will table the budget as Parrikar, who holds the finance portfolio, will not be able to attend the session. &ldquo;On the advice of his doctors, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be continuing with the treatment for (the ailment of) pancreas in Mumbai,&rdquo; BJP MP from South Goa Narendra Sawaikar told reporters.</p>

<p>The chief minister was responding to the treatment but he needed &ldquo;sufficient time to recover and be focused on the treatment&rdquo;, he added. &ldquo;Expert doctors are taking a good care of him,&rdquo; the MP said. Main opposition&nbsp;<a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/tag/congress/" target="_blank">Congress</a>&nbsp;said it had no objection to the curtailment of the session. &ldquo;We have no objection if the Assembly is curtailed to three days as the chief minister is genuinely ill,&rdquo; said Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, who is also a member of the Business Advisory Committee.</p>

<p>The BJP&rsquo;s Goa legislature wing will be holding a special meeting tomorrow morning before the start of the session to decide who will be its leader in the House in Parrikar&rsquo;s absence. Party sources said Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik would also attend the meeting. Parrikar underwent a check-up at the Goa Medical College Hospital on February 14 after he complained of stomach pains.</p>

<p>The next morning, he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, where the doctors said he was suffering from a &ldquo;mild pancreatitis&rdquo;.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Parrikar at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Sunday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Lilavati Hospital here to enquire about the health of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment. “Modi was in the hospital for 15 minutes in the evening,” a BJP source said. “The prime minister was accompanied by Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,” the source told PTI. Earlier today, the hospital authorities said Parrikar is “responding well to treatment”. “It has been brought to our notice (that) various malicious and misleading reports/rumours are floating around in the electronic/print media with regards to his health,” a hospital statement read. Modi’s visit to the hospital came on a day Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant met Governor Mridula Sinha in Panaji to discuss the situation in view of Parrikar’s ill-health. The budget session of the Goa Assembly begins tomorrow. The Budget session of the Goa Assembly will be curtailed to three days owing to ill health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital. Parrikar, who is being treated at the Lilavati Hospital for a pancreatic ailment since February 15, would not attend the session, said BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar. The budget session will begin tomorrow with Governor Mridula Sinha’s address. It was scheduled to end in mid-March, but now it would end in three days owing to Parrikar’s illness, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said. The state budget, scheduled for February 22, will now be presented on February 20, the deputy speaker said, adding that the Business Advisory Committee will meet tomorrow afternoon to take a formal decision on cutting the session short. “The questions, which were supposed to be discussed in the current session, would be postponed to the next session,” Lobo said. Legislature sources said minister Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party will table the budget as Parrikar, who holds the finance portfolio, will not be able to attend the session. “On the advice of his doctors, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be continuing with the treatment for (the ailment of) pancreas in Mumbai,” BJP MP from South Goa Narendra Sawaikar told reporters. The chief minister was responding to the treatment but he needed “sufficient time to recover and be focused on the treatment”, he added. “Expert doctors are taking a good care of him,” the MP said. Main opposition Congress said it had no objection to the curtailment of the session. “We have no objection if the Assembly is curtailed to three days as the chief minister is genuinely ill,” said Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, who is also a member of the Business Advisory Committee. The BJP’s Goa legislature wing will be holding a special meeting tomorrow morning before the start of the session to decide who will be its leader in the House in Parrikar’s absence. Party sources said Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik would also attend the meeting. Parrikar underwent a check-up at the Goa Medical College Hospital on February 14 after he complained of stomach pains. The next morning, he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, where the doctors said he was suffering from a “mild pancreatitis”.

Hospital refutes reports about Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's health, says he is 'responding well'

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated Bharatiya Janata Party&rsquo;s new headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg in New Delhi.</p>

<p>Party president Amit Shah and other senior leaders, including LK Advani were present to mark the occasion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Modi, along with BJP veteran LK Advani, inaugurates BJP&#39;s new headquarters at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg. Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj &amp; Murli Manohar Joshi also present, among others. <a href="https://t.co/eCcXbWJq0g">pic.twitter.com/eCcXbWJq0g</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965112730557534208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&ldquo;I want to thank Amit Bhai and his entire team, that worked hard to complete the work on the BJP HQ within the desired time frame,&rdquo; PM Modi said while speaking at the inauguration event.</p>

<p>He also remembered the party workers who dedicated their lives to the party.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ours was a journey that began with greats such as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Generations of workers have given their lives for the party,&rdquo; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>The relocation makes BJP the first party to comply with the Supreme Court&rsquo;s directive to all political parties to relocate from the Luyten&rsquo;s Bungalow Zone.</p>

<p>The construction of the new headquarters was completed within a year.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The construction of the new headquarters was completed within a year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday inaugurated Bharatiya Janata Party’s new headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg in New Delhi. Party president Amit Shah and other senior leaders, including LK Advani were present to mark the occasion. PM Modi, along with BJP veteran LK Advani, inaugurates BJP's new headquarters at #Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg. Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj & Murli Manohar Joshi also present, among others. pic.twitter.com/eCcXbWJq0g — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × “I want to thank Amit Bhai and his entire team, that worked hard to complete the work on the BJP HQ within the desired time frame,” PM Modi said while speaking at the inauguration event. He also remembered the party workers who dedicated their lives to the party. “Ours was a journey that began with greats such as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Generations of workers have given their lives for the party,” PM Modi said. The relocation makes BJP the first party to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to all political parties to relocate from the Luyten’s Bungalow Zone. The construction of the new headquarters was completed within a year.

PM Modi, Advani inaugurate BJP's new headquarters in New Delhi

<p>Since the multi-crore Punjab National Bank &nbsp;(PNB) scam involving tainted diamond czar Nirav Modi came to light, Congress president Rahul Gandhi seized the opportunity and launched a repeated&nbsp;attack on the Modi-led BJP government saying that the scam of this magnitude cannot have been done without a high-level protection. It must have been known by the people in government beforehand otherwise it is not possible, he said yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, the Gandhi scion stepped up the attack on the ruling dispensation and questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the matter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Modi tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hrs, but won&#39;t speak for 2 mins on the 22,000Cr banking scam.<br />
<br />
Mr Jaitley is in hiding.<br />
<br />
Stop behaving as if you&#39;re guilty! Speak up. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiRobsIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ModiRobsIndia</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/965120267411337216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hours, but won&#39;t&nbsp;speak for two minutes on the Rs 22,000 crore banking scam, he tweeted.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;PM Modi tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hrs, but won&#39;t speak for 2 mins on the 22,000Cr banking scam,&#39;&#39; he tweeted.</p>

<p>Gandhi also accused Arun Jaitley of hiding.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&#39;&#39;Mr Jaitley is in hiding,&#39;&#39; he tweeted and urged both the BJP leaders to speak on the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi linked the PNB scam to demonetisation yesterday and said the PM Modi&rsquo;s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, was the catalyst for the bank scam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;On that day, PM took the entire nation&rsquo;s money and put this into banks. Now, his friends and cronies have stolen that money from the banks,&rdquo; the Congress president said.</p>

<p>Continuing its crackdown on the scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested three officials of &nbsp;Punjab National Bank in connection with the Rs 11300 crore scam.</p>

<p>The arrested officials include the then deputy manager of PNB Gokulnath Shetty, single window operator Manoj Kharat, and authorised signatory of the Nirav Modi Group of Firms Hemant Bhatt.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Gandhi scion stepped up the attack on the ruling dispensation on Sunday by taking to Twitter

Since the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam involving tainted diamond czar Nirav Modi came to light, Congress president Rahul Gandhi seized the opportunity and launched a repeated attack on the Modi-led BJP government saying that the scam of this magnitude cannot have been done without a high-level protection. It must have been known by the people in government beforehand otherwise it is not possible, he said yesterday. On Sunday, the Gandhi scion stepped up the attack on the ruling dispensation and questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the matter. PM Modi tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hrs, but won't speak for 2 mins on the 22,000Cr banking scam. Mr Jaitley is in hiding. Stop behaving as if you're guilty! Speak up. #ModiRobsIndia — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 18, 2018 × PM tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hours, but won't speak for two minutes on the Rs 22,000 crore banking scam, he tweeted. ''PM Modi tells kids how to pass exams for 2 hrs, but won't speak for 2 mins on the 22,000Cr banking scam,'' he tweeted. Gandhi also accused Arun Jaitley of hiding. ''Mr Jaitley is in hiding,'' he tweeted and urged both the BJP leaders to speak on the issue. Rahul Gandhi linked the PNB scam to demonetisation yesterday and said the PM Modi’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, was the catalyst for the bank scam. “On that day, PM took the entire nation’s money and put this into banks. Now, his friends and cronies have stolen that money from the banks,” the Congress president said. Continuing its crackdown on the scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested three officials of Punjab National Bank in connection with the Rs 11300 crore scam. The arrested officials include the then deputy manager of PNB Gokulnath Shetty, single window operator Manoj Kharat, and authorised signatory of the Nirav Modi Group of Firms Hemant Bhatt.

PM Modi won't speak, Arun Jaitley is in hiding, Rahul Gandhi steps up attack on BJP over PNB scam

<p>Maharashtra is on the verge of achieving a trillion dollar economy status. The state will be the first in India to achieve&nbsp;the milestone, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Modi was addressing the inaugural address of&nbsp;Global Investors&#39; Summit - &#39;Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018&#39;&nbsp;in Mumbai on Sunday evening.</p>

<p>&quot;I am sure that Maharashtra will achieve the objective of being first trillion dollar economy state in India,&quot; he stated.</p>

<p>&quot;India&#39;s ranking in ease of doing business has increased. 51 per cent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) stems from Maharashtra,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our budget is not limited to outlay, focus of our budget is not limited to output, focus of our budget is on outcome: PM Modi at the Global Investors&#39; Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/HTSynSfLT5">pic.twitter.com/HTSynSfLT5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965222502069882882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to Gujarat&#39;s model of development, PM Modi noted that the state&#39;s prosperity is visible across the nation; now &quot;there is competition among states to attract investment&quot;.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister shared that during his tenure the government repealed nearly 1400 laws and brought new laws to facilitate simplification and not complication.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Our budget is not limited to outlay, the focus of our budget is not limited to output, the focus of our budget is on the outcome,&quot; the Prime Minister noted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited exhibition at the Global Investors&#39; Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/NvM6v2fTFf">pic.twitter.com/NvM6v2fTFf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965232946079813632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further said that in the last three years the budget has been reformed and that these changes will transform the social and economic aspects. &quot;The time of the budget is also now fixed one month ahead, this all will lead to funds reaching departments in advance.&quot; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress,&quot; he further added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress: PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/1xaFJzbtMT">pic.twitter.com/1xaFJzbtMT</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965221494912667648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Modi also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and laid its foundation stone earlier today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He dedicated the 4th container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to the nation -- the country&#39;s largest container terminal.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Referring to Gujarat's model of development, PM Modi shared that the state's prosperity is visible across the nation

Maharashtra is on the verge of achieving a trillion dollar economy status. The state will be the first in India to achieve the milestone, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was addressing the inaugural address of Global Investors' Summit - 'Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018' in Mumbai on Sunday evening. "I am sure that Maharashtra will achieve the objective of being first trillion dollar economy state in India," he stated. "India's ranking in ease of doing business has increased. 51 per cent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) stems from Maharashtra," Modi added. Our budget is not limited to outlay, focus of our budget is not limited to output, focus of our budget is on outcome: PM Modi at the Global Investors' Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/HTSynSfLT5 — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × Referring to Gujarat's model of development, PM Modi noted that the state's prosperity is visible across the nation; now "there is competition among states to attract investment". The Prime Minister shared that during his tenure the government repealed nearly 1400 laws and brought new laws to facilitate simplification and not complication. "Our budget is not limited to outlay, the focus of our budget is not limited to output, the focus of our budget is on the outcome," the Prime Minister noted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited exhibition at the Global Investors' Summit-Magnetic Maharashtra: Convergence 2018 in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/NvM6v2fTFf — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × He further said that in the last three years the budget has been reformed and that these changes will transform the social and economic aspects. "The time of the budget is also now fixed one month ahead, this all will lead to funds reaching departments in advance." "We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress," he further added. We believe potential, policy, planning and performance leads to progress: PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/1xaFJzbtMT — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018 × Prime Minister Modi also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and laid its foundation stone earlier today. He dedicated the 4th container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to the nation -- the country's largest container terminal.

Maharashtra will become first trillion dollar economy state in India: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held a substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and other regional issues, tweeted External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India and Iran signed a total of nine agreements earlier in the day focussing on Iran&#39;s Chabahar port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the significance of the Chabahar port stating that it helped in boosting trade between the two nations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: PM Narendra Modi &amp; President of Iran Hassan Rouhani issue joint postal stamp. <a href="https://t.co/Q4RSmcF6tF">pic.twitter.com/Q4RSmcF6tF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787849534083073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi welcomed the Iranian President and noted that an Iranian president was visiting India after a decade. He also noted that the ties between Iran and India have strengthened significantly under Rouhani&#39;s leadership.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port: PM Narendra Modi to Iran President Dr <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tzavzxb6Lm">pic.twitter.com/Tzavzxb6Lm</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787343076012032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Prime Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for developing the Chabahar port and noted: &quot;We want to enhance connectivity&quot;.</p>

<p>He further noted that the two countries want to see neighbouring Afghanistan safe, prosperous and free from terrorism.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/98bYhcSERn">pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787964470579200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rouhani, after taking the stage, identified the relationship between India and Iran not just a diplomatic one but &quot;historical and civilisational&quot; as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that he&nbsp;discussed issues revolving around trade, tariffs, visa among others with his Indian counterpart.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism,&rdquo; Rouhani noted adding further that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The relations between the two countries goes beyond trade &amp; business, it goes back in history: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/hO07xY0DZf">pic.twitter.com/hO07xY0DZf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964788758167121920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Iranian president expressed his desire to boost&nbsp;railway relations between the two countries.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We share views on 2 crucial issues - transit &amp; economy. We want to develop railway relations between the 2 countries &amp; are seeing development of Chabahar Port: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> <a href="https://t.co/EEIRD7kNnE">pic.twitter.com/EEIRD7kNnE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964789360875929602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today.</p>

<p>Rouhani&nbsp;received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.</p>


We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism: President Rouhani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held a substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and other regional issues, tweeted External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. India and Iran signed a total of nine agreements earlier in the day focussing on Iran's Chabahar port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the significance of the Chabahar port stating that it helped in boosting trade between the two nations. #Delhi: PM Narendra Modi & President of Iran Hassan Rouhani issue joint postal stamp. pic.twitter.com/Q4RSmcF6tF — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × PM Modi welcomed the Iranian President and noted that an Iranian president was visiting India after a decade. He also noted that the ties between Iran and India have strengthened significantly under Rouhani's leadership. I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port: PM Narendra Modi to Iran President Dr #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/Tzavzxb6Lm — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × The Prime Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for developing the Chabahar port and noted: "We want to enhance connectivity". He further noted that the two countries want to see neighbouring Afghanistan safe, prosperous and free from terrorism. The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani, after taking the stage, identified the relationship between India and Iran not just a diplomatic one but "historical and civilisational" as well. He said that he discussed issues revolving around trade, tariffs, visa among others with his Indian counterpart. "We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism,” Rouhani noted adding further that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives. The relations between the two countries goes beyond trade & business, it goes back in history: Iran President #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/hO07xY0DZf — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × The Iranian president expressed his desire to boost railway relations between the two countries. We share views on 2 crucial issues - transit & economy. We want to develop railway relations between the 2 countries & are seeing development of Chabahar Port: Iran President #HassanRouhani pic.twitter.com/EEIRD7kNnE — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today. Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.

Iran, India ink nine pacts after 'substantive' dialogues on wide range of issues

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who landed in New Delhi on Friday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome.</p>

<p>PM Narendra Modi and Iran President Rouhani are issuing a joint statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch live:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Delegation-level talks between PM Modi and Hassan Rouhani took place in the national capital's Hyderabad House

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who landed in New Delhi on Friday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Narendra Modi and Iran President Rouhani are issuing a joint statement. Watch live:

Watch: PM Modi and Iran President Rouhani issue a joint statement

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, the last leg of his<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-iranian-president-hasan-rouhanis-visit-to-india-is-significant-32959">&nbsp;three-day visit</a> to India.</p>

<p>The two sides held &quot;substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and regional issues,&quot; the external affairs ministry said on Twitter.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Civilizational connect, contemporary context! PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> welcomed President of Iran Dr. Rouhani to India. Both leaders held substantive &amp; productive discussion on cooperation in trade &amp; investment, energy, connectivity, defence &amp; security &amp; regional issues. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DustemanIran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DustemanIran</a> <a href="https://t.co/LICDykC5F6">pic.twitter.com/LICDykC5F6</a></p>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/964766462165561349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
The Iranian president earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Indian prime minister and president.<br />
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<p>Iranian President Rouhani poses for a picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind at New Delhi&#39;s Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 17. (ANI)</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="in"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Iran President Hassan Rouhani inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. <a href="https://t.co/CX9YVWX6in">pic.twitter.com/CX9YVWX6in</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964707463063834629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Raj Ghat.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Iran President Hassan Rouhani pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. <a href="https://t.co/TeDENjZOQY">pic.twitter.com/TeDENjZOQY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964712741696167936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Iranian President.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion,&quot; the external affairs ministry tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A close friend in our extended neighbourhood! EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> called on President of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani. Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DustemanIran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DustemanIran</a> <a href="https://t.co/xFxycjVNYU">pic.twitter.com/xFxycjVNYU</a></p>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/964735006567555073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The two sides&nbsp;are expected to sign an agreement allowing India to run operations in the first phase of the strategic Chabahar port project. The port is about 72 km from the Pakistani port of Gwadar, which China is developing. It will bypass Pakistan to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has committed $500 million to the Chabahar port which is expected to boost trade relations between India, Afghanistan and Iran, and will also give access to India to the resource-rich countries of central Asia.</p>

<p>The two sides are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and discuss oil and gas cooperation.</p>

<p>The Iranian President was in Hyderabad on February 15 where he visited the Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs. He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/muslims-non-muslims-hindus-sikhs-are-coexisting-in-peace-in-india-iranian-president-33113">addressed a Muslim congregation</a> in the Southern city yesterday and praised India for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths.</p>

<p>The trip comes amid US pressure to review a 2015 international nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on Iran.</p>

<p>India&#39;s ties with Iran came up in New Delhi in November last year during talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said America would not stand in the way of projects that help the Iranian people.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)</p>


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, the last leg of his three-day visit to India. The two sides held "substantive and productive discussion on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and regional issues," the external affairs ministry said on Twitter. Civilizational connect, contemporary context! PM @narendramodi welcomed President of Iran Dr. Rouhani to India. Both leaders held substantive & productive discussion on cooperation in trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regional issues. #DustemanIran pic.twitter.com/LICDykC5F6 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 17, 2018 × The Iranian president earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Indian prime minister and president. Iranian President Rouhani poses for a picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind at New Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 17. (ANI) × #Delhi: Iran President Hassan Rouhani inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/CX9YVWX6in — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Raj Ghat. #Delhi: Iran President Hassan Rouhani pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/TeDENjZOQY — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Iranian President. "Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion," the external affairs ministry tweeted. A close friend in our extended neighbourhood! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on President of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani. Strengthening cooperation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact came up for discussion. #DustemanIran pic.twitter.com/xFxycjVNYU — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 17, 2018 × The two sides are expected to sign an agreement allowing India to run operations in the first phase of the strategic Chabahar port project. The port is about 72 km from the Pakistani port of Gwadar, which China is developing. It will bypass Pakistan to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan. India has committed $500 million to the Chabahar port which is expected to boost trade relations between India, Afghanistan and Iran, and will also give access to India to the resource-rich countries of central Asia. The two sides are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and discuss oil and gas cooperation. The Iranian President was in Hyderabad on February 15 where he visited the Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs. He addressed a Muslim congregation in the Southern city yesterday and praised India for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths. The trip comes amid US pressure to review a 2015 international nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on Iran. India's ties with Iran came up in New Delhi in November last year during talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said America would not stand in the way of projects that help the Iranian people. (With inputs from agencies)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, PM Modi hold 'substantive' bilateral talks

<p>In what could be seen a big twist in the Tamil Nadu politics, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a mediator&#39;s role and made him join hands with the incumbent chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The southern state&rsquo;s ruling party fell apart into two factions OPS and EPS, in a factional fight following the death of long-time chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>While addressing a public meeting at Theni, Panneerselvam said he went to meet PM Modi who told him that when he met Jayalalitha in Chennai, she had told him a lot of things and requested Selvam to join back for the sake of the party. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam said that he decided to hold a designation only after PM Modi insisted him on taking a post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, he claimed that he never wished to hold any minister&#39;s portfolio when decided to join hands with the other faction.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
There were serious speculations about differences between OPS and Chief Minister Palaniswami but were later refuted by Deputy CM saying they two are working unitedly.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Panneerselvam had earlier said that no national party would find space in Tamil Nadu going by the electoral verdict in the state, where Dravidian parties have been recording successive Victories since 1967.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reaction has come close on the heels of the bitter exchanges between AIADMK and BJP in the recent past over the functioning of the government, especially after the RK Nagar poll debacle.</p>

<p>Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran, who was sidelined from the AIADMK by the EPS and OPS faction, won the prestigious and much-sought-after assembly seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhinakaran was evicted from the party along with VK Sasikala following a deal between AIADMK&#39;s factions led by EPS former OPS, as they merged in August.</p>

<p>Moreover, with Madras high court reserving its verdict in the disqualification of 18 MLAs, the political atmosphere continues to be volatile in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>.&nbsp;</p>


Deputy CM was addressing a public meeting at Theni district

In what could be seen a big twist in the Tamil Nadu politics, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a mediator's role and made him join hands with the incumbent chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami faction. The southern state’s ruling party fell apart into two factions OPS and EPS, in a factional fight following the death of long-time chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. While addressing a public meeting at Theni, Panneerselvam said he went to meet PM Modi who told him that when he met Jayalalitha in Chennai, she had told him a lot of things and requested Selvam to join back for the sake of the party. Panneerselvam said that he decided to hold a designation only after PM Modi insisted him on taking a post. However, he claimed that he never wished to hold any minister's portfolio when decided to join hands with the other faction. There were serious speculations about differences between OPS and Chief Minister Palaniswami but were later refuted by Deputy CM saying they two are working unitedly. Meanwhile, Panneerselvam had earlier said that no national party would find space in Tamil Nadu going by the electoral verdict in the state, where Dravidian parties have been recording successive Victories since 1967. The reaction has come close on the heels of the bitter exchanges between AIADMK and BJP in the recent past over the functioning of the government, especially after the RK Nagar poll debacle. Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran, who was sidelined from the AIADMK by the EPS and OPS faction, won the prestigious and much-sought-after assembly seat. Dhinakaran was evicted from the party along with VK Sasikala following a deal between AIADMK's factions led by EPS former OPS, as they merged in August. Moreover, with Madras high court reserving its verdict in the disqualification of 18 MLAs, the political atmosphere continues to be volatile in the state. .

PM Modi made me join hands with CM Palaniswami, claims O. Panneerselvam

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today questioned why does India not enjoy &#39;veto&#39;&nbsp;rights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Why India, with a population of over 1 billion, doesn&#39;t enjoy veto rights and why does the US have veto rights?&quot; Rouhani noted.</p>

<p>The United Nations Security Council &quot;veto power&quot; gives the &#39;permanent members&#39; &nbsp;the authority to veto any &quot;substantive&quot; resolution.</p>

<p>So far only five countries -- the US, China, France, the UK and Russia -- enjoy the right to veto.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0NIFHcgshs0" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>He also shared that five countries who &quot;had atomic bombs&quot; were given the right of veto.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why India with a population of over 1 billion doesn&#39;t enjoy veto rights &amp; why does the US have veto rights? Five countries who had atomic bombs were given the right of veto: Iran President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HassanRouhani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HassanRouhani</a> in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/jsBN4QbqWz">pic.twitter.com/jsBN4QbqWz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964836796721958912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today.</p>

<p>President Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.</p>


He also shared that five countries who "had atomic bombs" were given the right of veto

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today questioned why does India not enjoy 'veto' rights. "Why India, with a population of over 1 billion, doesn't enjoy veto rights and why does the US have veto rights?" Rouhani noted. The United Nations Security Council "veto power" gives the 'permanent members' the authority to veto any "substantive" resolution. So far only five countries -- the US, China, France, the UK and Russia -- enjoy the right to veto. He also shared that five countries who "had atomic bombs" were given the right of veto. Why India with a population of over 1 billion doesn't enjoy veto rights & why does the US have veto rights? Five countries who had atomic bombs were given the right of veto: Iran President #HassanRouhani in Delhi pic.twitter.com/jsBN4QbqWz — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Rouhani is on a three-day visit to India. The Iranian President also interacted with President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi earlier today. President Rouhani received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he reached the Capital from Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

Why does India not enjoy veto rights in UN? asks Iranian President

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become &quot;a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country&quot; after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit.</p>

<p>&quot;Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms,&quot; Modi said</p>

<p>&quot;We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/98bYhcSERn">pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964787964470579200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader.</p>

<p>They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>India has been a key supporter of Kabul&#39;s government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001.</p>

<p>In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture.</p>

<p>Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar.</p>

<p>The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan.</p>

<p>India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016.</p>

<p>However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf.</p>

<p>India&#39;s foreign ministry said Saturday that &quot;discussions continue&quot; on Farzad B.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008.</p>

<p>As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months.</p>

<p>India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed on Saturday to step up efforts to bring stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan. Modi reiterated India`s commitment to help Afghanistan become "a peaceful, secure, permanent, prosperous and pluralistic country" after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last day of his three-day visit. "Looking at our common interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion of such forces that promote international organised crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, cyber-crime and various forms," Modi said "We want to see our region and the world free from terrorism." The two countries want to see our neighbor Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbors free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/98bYhcSERn — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × There was no mention of financial assistance or providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants by either leader. They did not name Pakistan but it has long been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan. India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the Taliban were toppled in 2001. In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn nation including education, health and agriculture. Modi said both countries wanted to increase economic cooperation, regional connectivity and improve energy security to reach landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian port of Chabahar. The port, which was inaugurated in December, has been touted as a way for India to establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan. India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016. However, local Indian media have reported frustrations over delays in awarding a contract to develop a major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf. India's foreign ministry said Saturday that "discussions continue" on Farzad B. The two leaders also signed agreements for avoidance of double taxation and the implementation of an extradition treaty from 2008. As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multi-purpose container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agreement in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost economic growth in the region.

India, Iran agree to step up efforts to help Afghanistan

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an interaction with lakhs of students from across the country. Titled &quot;Pariksha Pe Charcha&quot; or &quot;Exam Ki Baat&quot;, the interaction took place in New Delhi&#39;s Talkatora Stadium. PM Modi was asked questions by the students. The prime minister told students how to develop self-confidence and focus.</p>

<p><strong>Highlights from PM Modi&#39;s address and answers to students&#39; questions</strong></p>

<p>You are not talking to the Prime Minister of India, you are talking to a friend</p>

<p>I am here as a student let us see how many marks will you give me out of 10</p>

<p>Don&#39;t ape competition</p>

<p>Identify your strengths</p>

<p>Choose opponents carefully</p>

<p>Students usually worship Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. But on the day of exam, they worship Lord Hanuman</p>

<p>Self-confidence is necessary. It is not a herbal potion which mother asks to take as a tablet before going for an exam&nbsp;</p>

<p>Self-confidence comes by challenging ourselves and working hard. We should always think of bettering ourselves. In addition to the right skills and the means, what a student needs is self-confidence</p>

<p>Concentration isn&rsquo;t something that has to be specifically learnt. Every person does concentrate on something or the other during the day, it may be while reading, hearing a song, talking to a friend</p>

<p>I would say Yoga is a wonderful way to improve concentration</p>

<p>So do you want me to take a class for your parents today?<br />
<br />
Learn to de-focus, then focus</p>

<p>Don&#39;t restrict yourselves to books<br />
<br />
Balance games with studies</p>

<p>Spend time in nature<br />
<br />
Develop Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) equally<br />
<br />
I wish you all the best for your board exams, for my board exams (elections) I have the wishes of 125 crore Indians with me</p>

<p>Results and marks are by-products of exams, one must concentrate on giving their best, I follow a similar approach in politics</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an interaction with lakhs of students from across the country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an interaction with lakhs of students from across the country. Titled "Pariksha Pe Charcha" or "Exam Ki Baat", the interaction took place in New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. PM Modi was asked questions by the students. The prime minister told students how to develop self-confidence and focus. Highlights from PM Modi's address and answers to students' questions You are not talking to the Prime Minister of India, you are talking to a friend I am here as a student let us see how many marks will you give me out of 10 Don't ape competition Identify your strengths Choose opponents carefully Students usually worship Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. But on the day of exam, they worship Lord Hanuman Self-confidence is necessary. It is not a herbal potion which mother asks to take as a tablet before going for an exam Self-confidence comes by challenging ourselves and working hard. We should always think of bettering ourselves. In addition to the right skills and the means, what a student needs is self-confidence Concentration isn’t something that has to be specifically learnt. Every person does concentrate on something or the other during the day, it may be while reading, hearing a song, talking to a friend I would say Yoga is a wonderful way to improve concentration So do you want me to take a class for your parents today? Learn to de-focus, then focus Don't restrict yourselves to books Balance games with studies Spend time in nature Develop Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) equally I wish you all the best for your board exams, for my board exams (elections) I have the wishes of 125 crore Indians with me Results and marks are by-products of exams, one must concentrate on giving their best, I follow a similar approach in politics

Identify your strengths: PM Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' with students

<p>Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a slew of projects in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar today.</p>

<p>While addressing a public meeting in Itanagar, PM Modi asked why meetings should be held in the national capital New Delhi, citing it as the reason for his coming to Shillong for a Northeastern Council meeting and an important meeting related to agriculture.</p>

<p>&quot;Why should meetings only be held in the national capital. We must go to all states and that is why I came to Shillong for a Northeastern Council meeting and an important meeting related to agriculture was held in Sikkim,&quot; the prime minister said after inaugurating the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre in Itanagar.</p>

<p>&quot;Morarji Desai was the last PM to attend the North East Council meeting, no PM got the time to attend it after that. They became very busy. But I have come because of you. That&#39;s why I went to attend the North East Council meeting.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I am personally going to tell people- go to Arunachal Pradesh and hold your important meetings at the convention centre,&quot; said PM Modi.</p>

<p>&quot;Most of the key departments are based in the new secretariat. This makes it easier for people coming from distant villages because they do not need to move from one place to another. Everything is in one place only. Coordination and convenience are enhanced,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The prime minister said the entire country would look as Arunachal Pradesh developed in the coming days.</p>

<p>&quot;From the Arunachal Pradesh (land of the rising sun), which emanates light, in the coming days also there will be such a light of development, that the entire country will look,&quot; PM Modi said.<br />
<br />
PM Modi said his government was working towards building medical colleges across the country so that doctors become better acquainted with local health challenges.</p>

<p>&quot;Healthcare has to be of good quality and it must be affordable. We are working towards building medical colleges across the country. This is because, when one studies in a particular area, one becomes better acquainted with the local health challenges,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The prime minister also blamed previous governments &quot;shaking the bucket&quot; for a lack of development in the country.</p>

<p>&quot;There is no dearth of money in this country. However, if you shake the bucket, will water fill in it? This is what happened in our country before,&quot; he said.</p>


Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a slew of projects in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar today

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a slew of projects in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar today. While addressing a public meeting in Itanagar, PM Modi asked why meetings should be held in the national capital New Delhi, citing it as the reason for his coming to Shillong for a Northeastern Council meeting and an important meeting related to agriculture. "Why should meetings only be held in the national capital. We must go to all states and that is why I came to Shillong for a Northeastern Council meeting and an important meeting related to agriculture was held in Sikkim," the prime minister said after inaugurating the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre in Itanagar. "Morarji Desai was the last PM to attend the North East Council meeting, no PM got the time to attend it after that. They became very busy. But I have come because of you. That's why I went to attend the North East Council meeting." "I am personally going to tell people- go to Arunachal Pradesh and hold your important meetings at the convention centre," said PM Modi. "Most of the key departments are based in the new secretariat. This makes it easier for people coming from distant villages because they do not need to move from one place to another. Everything is in one place only. Coordination and convenience are enhanced," he said. The prime minister said the entire country would look as Arunachal Pradesh developed in the coming days. "From the Arunachal Pradesh (land of the rising sun), which emanates light, in the coming days also there will be such a light of development, that the entire country will look," PM Modi said. PM Modi said his government was working towards building medical colleges across the country so that doctors become better acquainted with local health challenges. "Healthcare has to be of good quality and it must be affordable. We are working towards building medical colleges across the country. This is because, when one studies in a particular area, one becomes better acquainted with the local health challenges," he said. The prime minister also blamed previous governments "shaking the bucket" for a lack of development in the country. "There is no dearth of money in this country. However, if you shake the bucket, will water fill in it? This is what happened in our country before," he said.

Why should meetings be held only in Delhi: PM Modi in Arunachal

<p>A few days back, PM Modi inaugurated a new oil refinery in Barmer (Rajasthan) with much fanfare. He also staged a rally there. Rajasthan is going to poll this year and since it is on the radar of Modi, holding a rally was an obvious choice.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The refinery&#39;s foundation stone was originally laid in September 2013 by Sonia Gandhi but work never saw the light of the day. During the latter part of the previous decade, Rajasthan made an emphatic entry in India&rsquo;s oil scenario when Cairn India (now part of Vedanta Group) started substantial oil production there. The field is significant as it is producing around 25% of pan-India crude production and it only makes sense to have a refinery right adjacent to oil producing field.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Currently, the crude oil produced in Rajasthan is being transported to the west coast by pipeline and from there it is going to various refineries in the country.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But does it really make sense to have more refineries in India? Well, let&rsquo;s try to assess. Currently, India has an installed refining capacity of 235 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne) per annum and they processed 250 MMT crude in the year 2017. Here, one thing is worth mentioning, out of this 250 MMT crude oil processed, India has produced only 40 MMT. Therefore, 210 MMT crude oil processed was imported, which is whopping 84% of total refined crude. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though India&rsquo;s oil consumption has grown with a CAGR of around 5.4% over the past five years, still the total consumption was 200 MMT in 2017. India, thus, still has a huge surplus refining capacity and, currently, India is exporting finished petroleum products.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In all probability, the growth rate in consumption is bound to decline in the years to come because of the growing use of natural gas, biofuels and electric vehicles. Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has already made his intentions clear for a mega push on electric vehicles and a complete switchover by the decade of 2030. Railways have made its intention clear that it will push electric loco instead of diesel loco in days to come.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Look at the other aspects now. Already setting up of a mega 60 MMPTA refinery is in pipeline at the west coast by a consortium of IOC, BPC and HPC, 40 MMTPA of which is likely to be up and running by 2022-23.&nbsp; So by the year 2022, when country&rsquo;s demand will touch 240-245 MMTPA the refining capacity will go up to 280 MMTPA. Please note that here expansion plans of various existing refineries have not been factored in which will further add to the capacity.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>So oil companies need to depend on the export of finished products in order to run their refineries at full capacity. In a scenario when there is no dearth of refining capacity globally, finding a market for this won&rsquo;t be so easy. Apart from that Indian refiners struggle to maintain good GRM (Gross Refinery Margin, a benchmark world over for refinery&rsquo;s efficiency), which is essential to be competitive in the world market. Moreover, it does not make good sense that we import crude from outside, process it and then export the finished product.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In fact, the need of the hour is to give a decisive push to enhance crude production. The GOI needs to seriously look into what flagship oil producer ONGC is up to and how it can become more productive. Notwithstanding the argument that oil discovery and production is an arduous task, the fact remains that after Bombay High in the early eighties, ONGC has not made any significant oil discovery till date. i.e., for around 35 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>So as our current refining capacity is 235 MMTPA and Crude oil production is 40 MMTPA. What we need to do is to reduce the gap of 235 and 40 by increasing oil production, we instead are further increasing 235.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government can argue that such investments in new refineries are part of its infrastructure push and it will create jobs etc., but we all understand there is huge political rhetoric behind each such decision. Bottom-line is that the money spent by PSUs/GOI is taxpayer&rsquo;s money at the end of the day. It would be extremely sad if that money spent does not bring true value to the nation in the longer run to come. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The government can argue that such investments in new refineries are part of its infrastructure push and it will create jobs etc., but we all understand there is huge political rhetoric behind each such decision.

A few days back, PM Modi inaugurated a new oil refinery in Barmer (Rajasthan) with much fanfare. He also staged a rally there. Rajasthan is going to poll this year and since it is on the radar of Modi, holding a rally was an obvious choice. The refinery's foundation stone was originally laid in September 2013 by Sonia Gandhi but work never saw the light of the day. During the latter part of the previous decade, Rajasthan made an emphatic entry in India’s oil scenario when Cairn India (now part of Vedanta Group) started substantial oil production there. The field is significant as it is producing around 25% of pan-India crude production and it only makes sense to have a refinery right adjacent to oil producing field. Currently, the crude oil produced in Rajasthan is being transported to the west coast by pipeline and from there it is going to various refineries in the country. But does it really make sense to have more refineries in India? Well, let’s try to assess. Currently, India has an installed refining capacity of 235 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne) per annum and they processed 250 MMT crude in the year 2017. Here, one thing is worth mentioning, out of this 250 MMT crude oil processed, India has produced only 40 MMT. Therefore, 210 MMT crude oil processed was imported, which is whopping 84% of total refined crude. Though India’s oil consumption has grown with a CAGR of around 5.4% over the past five years, still the total consumption was 200 MMT in 2017. India, thus, still has a huge surplus refining capacity and, currently, India is exporting finished petroleum products. In all probability, the growth rate in consumption is bound to decline in the years to come because of the growing use of natural gas, biofuels and electric vehicles. Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has already made his intentions clear for a mega push on electric vehicles and a complete switchover by the decade of 2030. Railways have made its intention clear that it will push electric loco instead of diesel loco in days to come. Look at the other aspects now. Already setting up of a mega 60 MMPTA refinery is in pipeline at the west coast by a consortium of IOC, BPC and HPC, 40 MMTPA of which is likely to be up and running by 2022-23. So by the year 2022, when country’s demand will touch 240-245 MMTPA the refining capacity will go up to 280 MMTPA. Please note that here expansion plans of various existing refineries have not been factored in which will further add to the capacity. So oil companies need to depend on the export of finished products in order to run their refineries at full capacity. In a scenario when there is no dearth of refining capacity globally, finding a market for this won’t be so easy. Apart from that Indian refiners struggle to maintain good GRM (Gross Refinery Margin, a benchmark world over for refinery’s efficiency), which is essential to be competitive in the world market. Moreover, it does not make good sense that we import crude from outside, process it and then export the finished product. In fact, the need of the hour is to give a decisive push to enhance crude production. The GOI needs to seriously look into what flagship oil producer ONGC is up to and how it can become more productive. Notwithstanding the argument that oil discovery and production is an arduous task, the fact remains that after Bombay High in the early eighties, ONGC has not made any significant oil discovery till date. i.e., for around 35 years. So as our current refining capacity is 235 MMTPA and Crude oil production is 40 MMTPA. What we need to do is to reduce the gap of 235 and 40 by increasing oil production, we instead are further increasing 235. The government can argue that such investments in new refineries are part of its infrastructure push and it will create jobs etc., but we all understand there is huge political rhetoric behind each such decision. Bottom-line is that the money spent by PSUs/GOI is taxpayer’s money at the end of the day. It would be extremely sad if that money spent does not bring true value to the nation in the longer run to come. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Does India need more oil refineries or is it politics?

<p>India and Oman signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), including pacts on tourism and military cooperation.</p>

<p>On Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour, the MoUs signed during the visit to Oman`s Muscat were:</p>

<p>1) Agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.</p>

<p>2) Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports.</p>

<p>3) MoU on cooperation in the field of Health.</p>

<p>4) MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.</p>

<p>5) MoU on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic Institute.</p>

<p>6) MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.</p>

<p>7) MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman.</p>

<p>8) Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi arrived in Muscat on Sunday.On his arrival, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial reception at the Royal Airport by Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers of Oman.Prime Minister Modi will return to India on February 12.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Eight agreements signed between India and Oman including those on tourism cooperation &amp; military cooperation <a href="https://t.co/dd1YiyaTWn">pic.twitter.com/dd1YiyaTWn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962757170168201216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour was Oman

India and Oman signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), including pacts on tourism and military cooperation. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour, the MoUs signed during the visit to Oman`s Muscat were: 1) Agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. 2) Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports. 3) MoU on cooperation in the field of Health. 4) MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. 5) MoU on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic Institute. 6) MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 7) MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman. 8) Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Muscat on Sunday.On his arrival, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial reception at the Royal Airport by Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers of Oman.Prime Minister Modi will return to India on February 12. Eight agreements signed between India and Oman including those on tourism cooperation & military cooperation pic.twitter.com/dd1YiyaTWn — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018 ×

India, Oman sign eight MoUs

<p>As he <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-leaves-for-davos-for-world-economic-forum-30284">left for Davos</a>, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Facebook, a picture of himself on a poster in the Swiss city captioned &quot;India means business.&quot;</p>

<p>The poster has been placed outside a hotel in the snow-capped town.</p>

<p>The prime minister also wrote on Facebook that he looked forward to &quot;my first visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, at the invitation of India&rsquo;s good friend and Founder of the WEF, Prof Klaus Schwab.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I look forward to my first visit to the World Economic Forum at Davos, at the invitation of India&rsquo;s good friend and Founder of the WEF, Prof Klaus Schwab. The theme of the Forum, &ldquo;Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World&rdquo; is both thoughtful and apt.</p>

<p>The existing and emerging challenges to the contemporary international system and global governance architecture deserve serious attention of leaders, governments, policy makers, corporates and civil societies around the world.</p>

<p>In recent years, India&rsquo;s engagement with the outside world has become truly and effectively multi-dimensional covering the political, economic, people to people, security and other spheres,&quot; read PM Modi&#39;s Facebook post.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi will also hold bilateral talks with the President of Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, besides holding a series of meetings with business leaders and addressing the international business council.</p>

<p>The prime minister wrote on Twitter yesterday that he looked forward &quot;to sharing my vision for India&rsquo;s future engagement with the international community.&quot; He also wrote that he was confident that the bilateral meetings would be &quot;fruitful&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to participate in the World Economic Forum in two decades after HD Deve Gowda who visited Davos in 1997.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The prime minister also wrote on Facebook that he looked forward to 'my first visit to the World Economic Forum at Davos, at the invitation of India’s good friend and Founder of the WEF, Prof Klaus Schwab'

As he left for Davos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Facebook, a picture of himself on a poster in the Swiss city captioned "India means business." The poster has been placed outside a hotel in the snow-capped town. The prime minister also wrote on Facebook that he looked forward to "my first visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, at the invitation of India’s good friend and Founder of the WEF, Prof Klaus Schwab." "I look forward to my first visit to the World Economic Forum at Davos, at the invitation of India’s good friend and Founder of the WEF, Prof Klaus Schwab. The theme of the Forum, “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World” is both thoughtful and apt. The existing and emerging challenges to the contemporary international system and global governance architecture deserve serious attention of leaders, governments, policy makers, corporates and civil societies around the world. In recent years, India’s engagement with the outside world has become truly and effectively multi-dimensional covering the political, economic, people to people, security and other spheres," read PM Modi's Facebook post. × PM Modi is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Tuesday. PM Modi will also hold bilateral talks with the President of Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, besides holding a series of meetings with business leaders and addressing the international business council. The prime minister wrote on Twitter yesterday that he looked forward "to sharing my vision for India’s future engagement with the international community." He also wrote that he was confident that the bilateral meetings would be "fruitful". PM Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to participate in the World Economic Forum in two decades after HD Deve Gowda who visited Davos in 1997.

Look forward to first visit at World Economic Forum: PM Modi

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